Committee advances bill that would require detransition coverage to accompany transition-related insurance

The Tennessee House Finance, Ways and Means Committee on March 17 advanced House Bill 7-54 by a 20–7 vote. The bill would require insurance companies that sell policies covering transgender transition-related services to also offer coverage for detransition care.

Chairman (Representative) Faison, the bill’s sponsor, described testimony the committee had heard from individuals who later sought detransition care and emphasized that detransition costs can be high. “A lot of times…they have nothing. They don’t get the help, and it costs a fortune to detransition,” he said, arguing the bill would ensure coverage is available for those cases.

Leader Camper raised concerns about mandating both types of coverage. Camper said the requirement could double premiums or otherwise make policies unaffordable, noting that some people who can barely afford a single policy could be priced out if insurers must include detransition coverage automatically.

Chairman Faison said insurers would sell transition and detransition coverage as a package and compared it to other insurance coverages people buy and never use.

After debate, the committee approved the bill and sent it to calendar and rules. The committee record shows members pressed the sponsor for clarification on scope and potential costs; details about cost modeling and regulatory implementation were not provided during the hearing and will be subject to later review if the bill moves forward.