HR 498: Ending Federal Funding for Gender-Affirming Care for Minors

The Do No Harm and Medicaid Act (HR 498)

• 🏛️ Representative Brett Guthrie strongly supports HR 498, the "Do No Harm and Medicaid Act," aimed at redirecting taxpayer dollars from medically unnecessary procedures.
• 💰 The bill specifically prohibits federal funding through Medicaid for specified gender transition procedures for individuals under 18.

Strengthening Medicaid

• 🎯 The legislation's goal is to eliminate waste, fraud, and abuse within the Medicaid program.
• 👶 It aims to focus resources on care that is medically necessary for improving health outcomes for various groups, including expectant mothers, children, seniors, and individuals with disabilities.
• 📈 The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimates that HR 498 could save taxpayers $445 million over a decade.

Scope of the Legislation

• 🩺 This bill does not prevent minors from accessing necessary medical care.
• 🚫 It strictly prohibits the use of Medicaid funding for procedures deemed medically unnecessary.
• ⚖️ The legislation is presented as a step towards creating a more sustainable Medicaid program.