Rep. Maloney introduces bill to ban taxpayer funding of 'conversion therapy'

[Eugene]

Source: NBC News

Rep. Maloney introduces bill to ban taxpayer funding of 'conversion therapy'

The New York Democrat is seeking to end misleading billing practices through Medicaid in states that still allow the controversial practice.

March 28, 2019, 11:37 AM EDT
By Tim Fitzsimons

Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney, D-N.Y., a co-chair of the Congressional LGBT Equality Caucus, on Thursday introduced a bill that would ban the use of Medicaid funding for conversion therapy by cracking down on "misleading billing tactics."

Maloney, who is gay, introduced the Prohibition of Medicaid Funding for Conversion Therapy Act with 63 co-sponsors.

"Conversion practices are discredited, harmful and not therapy," he said. "Fundamentally, conversion tactics are based on the idea that a person's gender identity or sexual orientation are diseases to be cured — they have no legitimate medical application and should not be used anywhere. Until we can just ban conversion therapy altogether, we must ensure taxpayer dollars aren't funding a fraudulent practice that has been roundly discredited by the medical community. That's exactly what my bill would do."

According to a press release from Maloney's office, "States currently decide which services Medicaid can cover and most have failed to ban the use of funding for conversion 'therapy.' Because CMS codes do not mention the model of therapy being applied, even illegitimate practices can be performed and billed." CMS codes are used by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to process medical bills, including those for mental health care.

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Read more: https://www.nbcnews.com/feature/nbc-out/rep-maloney-introduces-bill-ban-taxpayer-funding-conversion-therapy-n988406

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Source: Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney

Maloney Introduces Legislation to Ban Use of Taxpayer Dollars for Conversion “Therapy”

Mar 28, 2019 Press Release

Bill Would Prohibit Use of Medicaid Funding, Crack Down on Deceptive Billing Practices for Conversion “Therapy”

WASHINGTON – Today, in advance of the Transgender Day of Visibility on March 31st, Representative Sean Patrick Maloney (NY-18), a co-chair of the Congressional LGBT Equality Caucus, introduced the Prohibition of Medicaid Funding for Conversion Therapy Act. The bill would prevent Medicaid funds from being used to pay for conversion “therapy” and crack down on misleading billing tactics, which have allowed taxpayer dollars to fund the discredited practice. The bill is cosponsored by 63 members of Congress.

“Conversion practices are discredited, harmful, and not therapy. Fundamentally, conversion tactics are based on the idea that a person’s gender identity or sexual orientation are diseases to be cured -- they have no legitimate medical application and should not be used anywhere,” said Rep. Maloney. “Until we can just ban conversion ‘therapy’ all together, we must ensure taxpayer dollars aren’t funding a fraudulent practice that has been roundly discredited by the medical community. That’s exactly what my bill would do.”

"The Trevor Project hears from youth harmed by the dangerous and discredited practice of conversion therapy every week. By limiting the means by which licensed mental health professionals can be reimbursed for their horrific practice, the Prohibition of Medicaid Funding for Conversion Therapy Act will make clear that conversion therapy is far outside the mainstream," said Sam Brinton, Head of Advocacy and Government Affairs for The Trevor Project. "More than 21,000 advocates have joined The Trevor Project's 50 Bills 50 States campaign dedicated to protecting LGBTQ youth from conversion therapy. We look forward to mobilizing them to ensure this critical legislation receives the attention and support it deserves."

"Being LGBTQ is not a mental illness and should never be treated that way," said David Stacy, Government Affairs Director for Human Rights Campaign . "So-called 'conversion therapy' has been universally rejected by every major medical and mental health organization, and it poses serious health risks including depression and suicide. Taxpayer dollars should never be used to fund this dangerous and discredited practice. As lawmakers across the country step up to protect against conversion therapy, we are grateful for Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney's leadership on this issue at the federal level. We call on Congress to advance this legislation and ensure funds meant to improve the lives and welfare of all Americans never go toward harmful, medically unnecessary practices."

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Read more: https://seanmaloney.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/maloney-introduces-legislation-to-ban-use-of-taxpayer-dollars-for