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Committee advances bill to bar TennCare coverage for elective transgender surgeries
Summary
The House Insurance Committee voted to advance House Bill 2,498, which would prohibit TennCare from paying for elective transgender-affirming surgeries and related chemicals; the measure passed committee 14–2 and now moves to Calendar and Rules.
The Tennessee House Insurance Committee voted March 5 to advance House Bill 2,498, a measure introduced for consideration that a sponsor described as prohibiting TennCare from paying for elective transgender-affirming surgeries and certain related chemicals. The committee recorded 14 ayes and 2 nays before sending the bill to Calendar and Rules.
Sponsor remarks framed the bill as a limitation on TennCare payments: "This bill will prohibit the division of TennCare for paying for elective, transgender affirming or otherwise surgeries, chemicals for those, that are not explicitly, taken out in the language," the sponsor told the committee. Committee members offered no recorded questions before the voice vote. The clerk later recorded the tally as 14 ayes, 2 nays, and the chair announced the bill moves on to Calendar and Rules.
The committee did not hold extended debate on the measure during the session. The record shows the committee acted on a motion and a second before voting; the transcript does not identify a formal amendment or any further conditions. Next steps are referral to Calendar and Rules, where committee scheduling and further floor consideration will be determined.
