Proposed Legislation Aims to Prohibit Medicaid Funding for Conversion Therapy
A new bill, H.R. 4244 (IH), has been introduced in the House of Representatives with the stated purpose of prohibiting the use of Medicaid funding for conversion therapy. The bill was published by GovInfo.gov on July 16, 2025.
Conversion therapy, also known as sexual orientation change efforts or reorientation therapy, refers to practices intended to change an individual’s sexual orientation or gender identity. These practices have been widely condemned by major medical and mental health organizations, including the American Medical Association, the American Psychological Association, and the American Academy of Pediatrics, due to concerns about their ineffectiveness and potential for severe psychological harm.
The proposed legislation seeks to prevent federal funds administered through the Medicaid program from being used to pay for services that constitute conversion therapy. Medicaid is a joint federal and state program that provides health coverage to millions of Americans, including low-income individuals, pregnant women, elderly adults, and people with disabilities.
By targeting Medicaid funding, H.R. 4244 aims to ensure that taxpayer dollars are not supporting practices that are considered harmful and unethical by the mainstream medical and psychological communities. This move aligns with a growing national trend to restrict or ban conversion therapy, with numerous states and municipalities having already enacted similar prohibitions.
The introduction of H.R. 4244 signifies a continued legislative effort to protect vulnerable populations, particularly LGBTQ+ individuals, from what proponents of the bill describe as harmful and discriminatory practices. Further details regarding the bill’s specific provisions, committee referrals, and expected legislative path are anticipated as it progresses through the congressional process.
H.R. 4244 (IH) – Prohibition of Medicaid Funding for Conversion Therapy Act
AI has delivered the news.
The answer to the following question is obtained from Google Gemini.
www.govinfo.gov published ‘H.R. 4244 (IH) – Prohibition of Medicaid Funding for Conversion Therapy Act’ at 2025-07-16 10:28. Please write a detailed article about this news in a polite tone with relevant information. Please reply in English with the article only.