Prohibition of Medicaid Funding for Conversion Therapy Act

H.R. 4244, the Prohibition of Medicaid Funding for Conversion Therapy Act, would amend Title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to block any payments from Medicaid for conversion therapy. Beginning on the first day of the first quarter after enactment, Medicaid would be prohibited from paying for conversion therapy services furnished to individuals enrolled in Medicaid or in a Medicaid waiver. The bill defines conversion therapy in a broad way (see below) and adds a conforming amendment to ensure such expenditures are treated as disallowed. It also preserves certain non-conversion, supportive practices related to gender transition, coping, or identity exploration. In short, the bill seeks to prevent federal Medicaid funds from being used to pay for conversion therapy while allowing other supportive or non-directed services to continue.