A Florida bill that critics call in the most extreme pending anti-transgender legislation elsewhere in the country cleared a Republican-controlled state House subcommittee on Wednesday.
The measure, which advanced by a 12-5 vote, would bar health insurance providers — including private ones — from covering gender-affirming treatment for adults, prohibit minors from receiving gender-affirming treatment, and prohibit transgender people from changing their registered sex. on the birth certificate.
Minors currently receiving the treatment have until December 31, 2023, to end it.
Addressing the hearing room, ranking Democrat Rep. Robin Bartleman said “we all know” the bill will pass there and in the full state House, which operates with an 85-35 Republican majority. He urged his colleagues to approve an amendment to the bill introduced by fellow Democrat, state Rep. Kelly Skidmore, that would reduce the harmful effects by removing the section requiring minors to detransition.
“Please grandpa, these guys come in,” Bartleman said.
Will Larkins, an 18-year-old senior at Winter Park High School outside Orlando, also argued passionately for the amendment, citing conversations with transgender classmates.
“Health care saves lives. You’re going to kill them. I’m telling you right now – look me in the eye – you’re going to kill them if you pass this bill and you don’t pass this amendment,” said Larkins.
“You will kill them if you force them to detransition,” he added.
But the committee rejected the amendment.
The bill is expected to be heard by other state House committees in the coming weeks as it continues to become law.
Members of the health regulatory subcommittee were given the opportunity to question the bill’s sponsor, state Rep. Randy Fine (R), who promised last year that he would introduce anti-transgender legislation.
Bartleman focused one question on aspects of the bill that would affect transgender adults, asking why the state of Florida sought to “interfere with the freedom of adults to make informed decisions for themselves.”
Fine replied, “The state does not interfere.”
“However, because you’re limiting access to health care,” Bartleman said.
Fine responded that insurance should not cover gender-affirming treatments because he believes they are “cosmetic-type procedures, and not necessarily procedures that will improve their health.”
Studies show that when people with gender dysphoria can access gender-affirming health care, their mental health improves dramatically. Suicide rates are known to be higher among the transgender population.
At various points, Fine called the treatment “experimental,” “mutilating” and claimed it had “catastrophic side effects,” all of which were anti-transgender talking points.
Fine also stated that the term “gender-affirming treatment” is “misleading”, although he did not explain why.