Hawaii passes pro-trans insurance bill – but there’s a catch

metroweekly.com:

bill on March 8 that will protect transgender peoples’ rights to gender-affirming care.But there’s a catch: the legislation won’t take effect until July 1, 2060, more than 38 years in the future.The Gender Affirming Treatment Act (HB 2405) would “prohibit health insurers, mutual benefit societies, and health maintenance organizations” from excluding “gender affirming treatments” such as “cosmetic services when prescribed as medically necessary” in their coverage plans.The bill also specifically outlaws any medical discrimination on the basis of an individual’s gender identity.“The legislature finds that many transgender persons have experienced discriminatory treatment from health insurance providers when seeking coverage for gender affirming treatments,” the bill states in its opening sections. “While federal health care guidelines previously prohibited health insurance and health care providers from discriminating on the basis of gender identity, these protections have been largely rolled back.”The bill — in contrast to other governing bodies throughout the country — recognizes that the “arbitrary” refusal by medical insurers to cover gender affirming treatment is not “medically necessary” nor “evidence-based.” Additionally, the bill notes that transgender individuals denied such treatment are “at a higher risk of suicide and depression.”The bill passed the House by a vote of 49-2.

It must now pass through Hawaii’s Senate before it can be placed on Democratic Governor David Ige’s desk for approval.LGBTQ activists view the legislation as overwhelmingly positive.

Considering the blatantly anti-transgender legislation being pushed in states like Texas, Florida, Utah, Idaho, and others, the Hawaii bill is a breath of fresh.