Ohio Republican introduces bill targeting trans adults’ health insurance
Josh Williams (Facebook/joshwilliamsforohio)
An Ohio Republican has introduced a new bill that would restrict healthcare coverage for transgender adults across the state.
HB 838, introduced by Republican Rep. Josh Williams last Thursday (30 April), would block Medicaid from covering many forms of gender-affirming care and penalise cities or local governments that offer trans-inclusive health insurance plans to employees.
The measure also states that, should any trans-affirming benefits be offered, the cost of that care would be taken out of the local authority’s portion of Ohio’s General Revenue Fund.
The proposal is the latest in a broader wave of legislation from Williams targeting LGBTQ+ people this legislative session. Williams has introduced six other bills in the General Assembly that would be harmful to LGBTQ+ people. Williams is also currently running for a seat in the US House of Representatives.
Advocates are criticising HB 838 for its potential to undermine access to medically necessary care while interfering with the ability of municipalities to determine their own employee benefits policies. “Continued increasing of restrictions and limitations to healthcare undermines the safety, health and wellbeing of not only trans Ohioans but everyone,” Dara Adkison, director of TransOhio, told The Advocate, calling the bill “reprehensible.”
Some Ohio cities are already pushing back. In Lakewood, a suburb of Cleveland, local leaders recently advanced a “Gender Freedom Policy” designed to protect LGBTQ+ employees and preserve access to gender-affirming healthcare coverage, even if care must be sought outside the state. “I will continue to fight for my community and the dignity and respect of all people,” said out LGBTQ+ Councilmember Cindy Strebig, criticising state lawmakers for focusing on trans people instead of broader issues affecting Ohio residents.
Share your thoughts! Let us know in the comments below, and remember to keep the conversation respectful.
