Rep. Diana Harshbarger, a Republican from Tennessee, has introduced a bill that would mandate health insurance companies providing transgender procedures to also cover detransition services and any adverse effects. Harshbarger expressed concern that current insurance plans often leave individuals who wish to reverse their sex-reassignment procedures without financial support. She stated, "It's outrageous that a health plan can cover sex-rejecting procedures but refuse to cover the restorative care patients need to address the harm they cause."
The proposed legislation, known as the TRUTH in Coverage Act, aims to address the needs of patients who have regretted their sex-reassignment procedures. It would require insurers to cover services needed to manage complications or adverse effects from these procedures, regardless of existing state or local laws. If enacted, the bill would take effect on January 1, 2027, and has garnered support from 12 cosponsors, including Rep. Buddy Carter from Georgia.
The bill seeks to amend three federal statutes related to health insurance coverage, creating a uniform requirement for insurers. It would also prohibit insurers from altering copays, deductibles, or imposing treatment limitations. A similar law was signed by Texas Governor Greg Abbott last year, addressing comparable concerns at the state level.
Sen. Bryan Hughes from Texas, who sponsored a related bill, highlighted the need for coverage for patients requiring extensive medical care to manage or reverse previous treatments, noting that many face significant out-of-pocket expenses without insurance support. According to the National Library of Medicine, the exact number of detransitions is difficult to determine, as various factors can indicate the start of the detransition process.
Harshbarger emphasized the importance of not abandoning patients after significant medical interventions, stating, "Patients should never be abandoned after undergoing life-altering, harmful medical interventions once reality sets in." The timeline for the bill's consideration in the House remains uncertain.