Committee advances bill that would require insurers to offer 'detransition' coverage; members raise cost concerns

Chairman Fason described House Bill 7-54 as a measure requiring insurers that sell plans covering transgender transition services to also make detransition coverage available to policyholders. Fason said he had met individuals who requested detransition coverage and described gaps in access to care for people who later seek to reverse aspects of their transition.

"What we have seen historically ... there are individuals who have decided to go through transition ... I've met them, they've been in my office testified last week. They have nothing. They don't get the help and it cost a fortune to detransition," Chairman Fason said in committee.

Several members raised affordability concerns. Leader Camper asked whether the bill would effectively double costs for consumers by requiring a package that includes both transition and detransition coverage. "So is that we're putting that kind of mandate on a person in terms of their personal budget ... it could be cost prohibitive," Camper said. Chairman Fason responded that adding coverage is similar to other insurance riders and that many people buy insurance they never use.

After brief questions and comments, the committee voted 20-7 to move House Bill 7-54 to calendar and rules. The transcript records substantive concerns from members about the potential out-of-pocket cost impacts and whether the mandate would reduce options for people who cannot afford expanded packages.