Prohibition of Medicaid Funding for Conversion Therapy Act

Bill Number

H.R. 4244

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 1

Policy Area

Health

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2025-06-27: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

Last Updated

2026-05-13T08:06:45Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose

This legislation aims to prevent the use of federal Medicaid funds for conversion therapy, which involves practices intended to change an individual's sexual orientation or gender identity. By amending the Social Security Act, it ensures that Medicaid programs do not reimburse such therapies, promoting protections for LGBTQ+ individuals while allowing funding for supportive, non-coercive mental health services.

Key Provisions

• Prohibition on Payments: States must update their Medicaid plans to deny payments for conversion therapy provided to enrollees, effective from the first day of the first quarter after the bill's enactment. This applies to both standard plans and waivers.
• Definition of Conversion Therapy:
• Refers to any compensated practice or treatment by a person (including individuals, businesses, or organizations) that attempts to alter a person's sexual orientation (e.g., homosexuality, heterosexuality, or bisexuality) or gender identity (a person's internal sense of gender, including appearance and mannerisms, regardless of birth-assigned sex).
• Excludes therapies that assist with gender transitions or provide non-judgmental support, such as counseling for coping, identity exploration, or preventing unsafe behaviors, as long as they do not aim to change orientation or identity.
• Federal Funding Restrictions: No federal matching funds will be available for Medicaid expenditures on conversion therapy after the effective date.
• Short Title: The bill is named the "Prohibition of Medicaid Funding for Conversion Therapy Act."

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Adds a new requirement (paragraph 88) to Section 1902(a) of the Social Security Act, mandating that state Medicaid plans explicitly prohibit reimbursements for conversion therapy.
• Inserts definitions for key terms (e.g., conversion therapy, gender identity, sexual orientation) in a new subsection (uu) to clarify scope and prevent misuse.
• Amends Section 1903(i) by adding a new paragraph (28) to bar federal financial participation in these prohibited services, aligning it with other disallowed Medicaid expenditures (e.g., certain experimental treatments).

Potential Impacts

• On Government Agencies: The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and state Medicaid agencies will need to implement oversight, update guidelines, and monitor compliance, potentially increasing administrative costs but reducing funding for controversial practices.
• On Citizens: Medicaid enrollees, particularly LGBTQ+ individuals, gain protection from taxpayer-funded exposure to conversion therapy, which is widely viewed by medical experts as ineffective and harmful. It may encourage access to affirming mental health care without financial barriers.
• On International Relations: No direct impact, as this is a domestic health policy focused on U.S. federal funding.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• LGBTQ+ Individuals and Communities: Primary beneficiaries, as the bill safeguards against discriminatory practices in public health programs.
• Healthcare Providers and Therapists: Mental health professionals offering conversion therapy may lose Medicaid reimbursements, while those providing supportive or transition-related care remain eligible for funding.
• State and Federal Governments: States administering Medicaid programs must adjust operations; the federal government shifts funding priorities away from conversion therapy.
• Advocacy Groups: Organizations supporting LGBTQ+ rights (e.g., those backing the bill's sponsors) stand to benefit, while groups favoring conversion therapy may oppose it.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal: Strengthens anti-discrimination frameworks in public health by codifying restrictions on harmful practices, potentially setting precedents for similar bans in other federal programs. Enforcement could involve audits and penalties for non-compliant states.
• Constitutional: May raise questions about free speech or religious freedoms if providers challenge the definitions as overly broad, though it targets only publicly funded services, not private practices. It aligns with existing Supreme Court rulings (e.g., on marriage equality) emphasizing equal protection.
• Political: Introduced by a bipartisan group of House members, it reflects growing congressional support for LGBTQ+ protections amid debates on healthcare equity. Passage could influence state-level policies but might face opposition in divided Congresses over cultural issues.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. Thanedar, Shri [D-MI-13]

Cosponsors (41)

Rep. Brownley, Julia [D-CA-26], Rep. Casten, Sean [D-IL-6], Rep. Davids, Sharice [D-KS-3], Rep. DelBene, Suzan K. [D-WA-1], Rep. Deluzio, Christopher R. [D-PA-17], Rep. Fields, Cleo [D-LA-6], Rep. Frost, Maxwell [D-FL-10], Rep. Gottheimer, Josh [D-NJ-5], Rep. Jayapal, Pramila [D-WA-7], Rep. Johnson, Henry C. "Hank" [D-GA-4], Rep. Krishnamoorthi, Raja [D-IL-8], Rep. Lee, Summer L. [D-PA-12], Rep. Lieu, Ted [D-CA-36], Rep. Lynch, Stephen F. [D-MA-8], Rep. Moskowitz, Jared [D-FL-23], Rep. Moulton, Seth [D-MA-6], Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large], Rep. Peters, Scott H. [D-CA-50], Rep. Pocan, Mark [D-WI-2], Rep. Scanlon, Mary Gay [D-PA-5], Rep. Simon, Lateefah [D-CA-12], Rep. Soto, Darren [D-FL-9], Rep. Tonko, Paul [D-NY-20], Rep. Vargas, Juan [D-CA-52], Rep. Balint, Becca [D-VT-At Large], Rep. Schakowsky, Janice D. [D-IL-9], Rep. Moore, Gwen [D-WI-4], Rep. Bell, Wesley [D-MO-1], Rep. Dingell, Debbie [D-MI-6], Rep. Quigley, Mike [D-IL-5], Rep. Cohen, Steve [D-TN-9], Rep. Goldman, Daniel S. [D-NY-10], Rep. Goldman, Craig A. [R-TX-12], Rep. Chu, Judy [D-CA-28], Rep. Wasserman Schultz, Debbie [D-FL-25], Rep. Torres, Ritchie [D-NY-15], Rep. McGarvey, Morgan [D-KY-3], Rep. Craig, Angie [D-MN-2], Rep. Latimer, George [D-NY-16], Rep. Watson Coleman, Bonnie [D-NJ-12], Rep. Wilson, Frederica S. [D-FL-24]

Recent Actions

• 2025-06-27: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
• 2025-06-27: Introduced in House
• 2025-06-27: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

• Prohibition of Medicaid Funding for Conversion Therapy Act — issued 2025-06-27 — PDF (4 pages)