Bill > HB2498

This bill amends Tennessee law to prohibit the state's TennCare program from covering or reimbursing medical procedures, including surgeries and hormone treatments, that are performed to help an individual identify with or live as a gender different from their sex assigned at birth, or to treat distress related to such a discordance. The bill defines "sex" as immutable characteristics of the reproductive system determined by anatomy and genetics at birth, and explicitly excludes conditions like gender dysphoria from being considered a "disease" for the purpose of medical exceptions. However, it provides exceptions for procedures necessary to treat congenital defects, precocious puberty, diseases, or physical injuries, as long as these conditions are not related to gender identity. Additionally, procedures that began before the bill's effective date and conclude by March 31, 2027, may still be covered if a physician certifies in writing that stopping the treatment would be harmful, though this exception does not permit the initiation of new procedures for gender transition purposes. The bill takes effect on July 1, 2026.