Congressman Brett Guthrie, Chairman of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, spoke on the House floor in support of H.R. 498, known as the Do No Harm in Medicaid Act. The proposed legislation would prevent federal Medicaid funds from being used for gender transition procedures for individuals under 18 years old.
Guthrie stated, “I rise today in strong support of H.R. 498, the Do No Harm in Medicaid Act.” He emphasized that the bill aims to ensure taxpayer dollars are directed toward medically necessary care within the Medicaid Program. “It is our duty as members of Congress to focus hard-earned taxpayer dollars on care that is medically necessary to improve the health of Americans,” Guthrie said.
He further explained, “H.R. 498, the Do No Harm in Medicaid Act, does just that—prohibiting federal Medicaid dollars from going toward specified gender transition procedures for individuals under the age of 18.”
Guthrie credited his colleagues on the Energy and Commerce Committee for their efforts to address waste and abuse within Medicaid through broader legislative efforts like the Working Families Tax Cuts Act. He said, “Our goal is to eliminate unnecessary and improper spending to strengthen, secure, and sustain the Medicaid program for those who are truly among the most vulnerable populations: expectant mothers, their children, low-income seniors, and individuals with disabilities.”
According to Guthrie’s remarks referencing a Congressional Budget Office estimate, this bill could result in $445 million in taxpayer savings over ten years.
He clarified that access to essential medical care for minors would not be restricted by this legislation: “I want to make it abundantly clear that this legislation, in no way, prevents minors from accessing medical care that they truly need.”
“It simply prohibits the use of federal Medicaid funding on specified gender transition procedures that are medically unnecessary,” Guthrie added.
“This critical legislation builds upon our work in the Working Families Tax Cuts Act to create a more sustainable financial future for Medicaid and preserve the program for the times when people truly need to lean on it,” he concluded.
