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Yahoo
27-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Gov. Beshear's conversion therapy, transgender Medicaid coverage veto overturned
FRANKFORT, Ky. (FOX 56) — The General Assembly has overturned the governor's veto on House Bill 495. 'The Republican-led legislature just overrode my veto on House Bill 495, which will allow conversion therapy in Kentucky,' Gov. Andy Beshear announced on X, formerly known as Twitter, on the afternoon of March 27. Gov. Beshear vetoes bill aimed at overturning conversion therapy ban and Medicaid coverage for gender-affirming care Beshear banned conversion therapy in the Commonwealth with a September 2024 executive order. House Bill 495 saw a last-minute addition before the veto recess, moving forward with not only repealing a conversion therapy ban but also impacting transgender people on Medicaid. Medicaid coverage for cross-sex hormones or gender reassignment surgery will now be banned. The Family Foundation policy director, Nick Spencer, supports the bill. He told FOX 56 he believes the governor's executive order banning conversion therapy in the Commonwealth limits free speech, and people should be able to choose the counseling that fits them. Gov. Beshear veto against tolls on new I-69 bridge overriden Here's how to watch the Wildcats play against Tennessee on a giant screen for free Lexington Legends announce partnership with Kentucky bourbon, exclusive giveaway 'Win for free speech, religious liberty, and for fiscal and moral sanity! Gov. Beshear's veto on HB 495 has been overridden by both chambers. KY counselors and pastors can once again share the truth about God's design for gender and sexuality. And our tax dollars will no longer pay for gender mutilation via Medicaid,' The Family Foundation wrote on X Thursday afternoon. The Fairness Campaign called the override devastating. 'It's a sad day in Kentucky. Two anti-LGBTQ bills will become law with devastating consequences for our community. HB495 opens the door to 'conversion torture' and denies Medicaid coverage for transgender healthcare. Likewise, SB2 denies healthcare to transgender inmates. Both are cruel and have no place in our Commonwealth,' Fairness Campaign Executive Director Chris Hartman said. Gov. Beshear vetoes 9 bills on education, healthcare, and more on Wednesday Senate Bill 2 was passed into law without the governor's signature. Beshear said that he doesn't believe that the state should pay for gender reassignment surgeries for convicted felons 'as this would mean those in prison would receive better access to medical care than a law-abiding citizen.' Beshear shared a video explaining the reported dangers the bill poses. 'Listen to the experts and survivors who know how dangerous this torture is. These are the voices they didn't want you to hear. I hope you'll listen,' he said. Click here to view the governor's response. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
13-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Late change to bill ending Kentucky conversion therapy ban will now disqualify Medicaid-covered transgender care
FRANKFORT, Ky. (FOX 56) — Late bill changes sparked an outcry from Kentucky's LGBTQ community on Wednesday. Lawmakers are moving ahead on a bill not only repealing a conversion therapy ban, but it could now impact transgender people on Medicaid. 'You will cost lives. This was not the original intent of this bill at all,' The Fairness Campaign executive director Chris Hartman told lawmakers in a meeting of the Senate Health Services Committee on Wednesday. Nicholasville man allegedly uploaded child porn onto social media, told police it was 'stupid' 'There are many medical procedures that the government does not cover, and the government has no business covering those services,' The Family Foundation policy director Nick Spencer told lawmakers later in that same Bill 495 has taken on many forms this session. The bill originally began as a proposal to protect counselors from government discrimination, countering an executive order last fall by Governor Andy Beshear to ban conversion therapy. In the House, lawmakers rewrote the bill with an amendment to simply repeal the executive order. It passed 77-18 last week. On Wednesday, the Senate Health Services Committee added language, taking the bill further. In addition to repealing the executive order, it would now also ban any Medicaid coverage for cross-sex hormones or gender reassignment surgery. Executive director of The Fairness Campaign Chris Hartman was almost removed from the room over the late change. 'How dare you?' Hartman exclaimed before being ordered to stand down by committee chairman Sen. Steve Meredith, who threatened to remove Hartman if he continued to raise his voice. 'These people were prepared to testify on House Bill 495 on conversion therapy. What you have allowed, Mr. Chairman, is a sneak attack on our transgender community without public input,' Hartman said. The Family Foundation policy director Nick Spencer supports the bill. He said he believes the governor's executive order limits free speech to only counsel one way on LGBTQ issues, and people should be able to choose the counseling that fits them. Democrats questioned how that logic fits with the bill's changes. 2 displaced after house catches fire on Montclair Drive Late change to bill ending Kentucky conversion therapy ban will now disqualify Medicaid-covered transgender care Spring break canceled for Clay County Public Schools; districts work to make up missed days 'You need to explain to me how you reconcile that with the addition to this bill banning Medicaid from covering transgender treatment for adults,' Sen. Karen Berg (D-Louisville) asked.'My justification is that the government has no business spending tax dollars on elective surgeries and elective procedures for people with transgender feelings,' Spencer responded. The bill could go before the full Senate as soon as Thursday. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
