H.R. 498: Do No Harm in Medicaid Act

This bill, titled the Do No Harm in Medicaid Act, aims to change the laws relating to Medicaid funding for procedures related to gender transition for minors, defined as individuals under the age of 18. The proposed legislation amends the Social Security Act, specifically targeting federal funding for certain medical procedures.

Key Provisions of the Bill

• Federal Funding Prohibition: The bill seeks to prohibit federal Medicaid funds from being used for "specified gender transition procedures" for minors.
• Definition of Specified Procedures: These procedures include, but are not limited to:
  • Surgical procedures such as hysterectomy, castration, and vaginoplasty.
  • Hormonal treatments, including puberty blockers and cross-sex hormones like testosterone and estrogen.
• Exceptions: There are specific exceptions laid out in the bill:
  • Medically necessary treatments for individuals with precocious puberty.
  • Procedures for certain medical conditions relating to sex development disorders, as defined by the bill.

Implementation

If passed, the bill would direct state Medicaid programs to exclude funding for the specified procedures for minors, meaning these procedures would need to be financed through other means. States would have to align their Medicaid plans with the new federal guidelines to avoid losing federal funding.

Impact on Medicaid Programs

This legislation could have significant implications for how state Medicaid programs manage funding related to gender transition health care for minors. States may need to reassess their coverage policies and could see changes in health care costs and access as a result of the new restrictions imposed by the bill.

Relevant Companies

• MRK - Merck & Co., Inc.: Involved in the development of drugs and therapies related to various medical conditions, including those affecting hormonal treatments.
• PFE - Pfizer Inc.: Provides medications that could be affected by changes in treatment protocols for various conditions, including hormonal therapies.
• ABBV - AbbVie Inc.: Involved in pharmaceuticals including treatments for hormone-related conditions.