HARRISBURG – Legislation to end state funding for the gender transition of minors was passed with bipartisan support by the PA Senate Banking & Insurance Committee. The measure follows recent guidance from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services stating gender-related medical interventions for minors do not meet professionally recognized standards of care. The department issued regulations to prevent federal reimbursement for such procedures. Senate Bill 1321 would align state and federal policies regarding reimbursements for “gender-affirming” care for minors, requiring the state to withhold Medicaid and CHIP funding for any procedure that conflicts with federal standards. By enacting the bill, PA can join the no less than 25 states that have already passed laws protecting minors by eliminating funds for these harmful and unconscionable experimental procedures. The bill now heads to the full state Senate.
