House OKs bill to ban transgender health care coverage

House Republicans approved a bill Tuesday banning insurance coverage for transgender health care, one of many proposals this year seeking to limit gender transition procedures.

House Bill 2177 now moves to the state Senate after the House passed the measure with an 80-18 vote. All 18 votes against were by Democratic members.

"This bill will protect children and parents from being pressured into agreeing to harmful experimental transition procedures by prohibiting the administration of puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones and surgeries on minors while still allowing for critical mental health care," said Rep. Kevin West, R-Moore, the author of the bill.

"Insurance coverage for (transgender surgery and hormone treatment) performed within this state on any minor or adult shall be prohibited," the bill reads. It also reads: "It shall be prohibited for any public funds in this state to be directly or indirectly used, granted, paid, or distributed to any entity, organization or individual for the provision of" transgender services.

More than two hours of debate preceded the vote, as Democrats accused West of limiting parental rights and sending a message to transgender Oklahomans that they aren't welcome.

Rep. Forrest Bennett, D-Oklahoma City, proposed an amendment to the bill that would ban over-the-counter testosterone, trying to make a point about where to draw the line on government control.

The amendment was quickly defeated.

Democrats also argued HB 2177 could prevent other types of cosmetic surgeries that do not include gender transition, such as a teenage girl receiving breast enhancement surgery with her parents' consent.

"I'm not 100% sure that this bill would not prohibit some of that, as well," West said about other cosmetic surgeries, "but we are talking about major sex change operations on children who are not able to make that decision on their own. That's why I felt this bill was necessary."

But Democrats mostly argued the bill stood in the way of families and doctors making personal decisions about gender identity.

"The message that legislation like this sends is telling people that it is not OK to be who you are," said Rep. Annie Menz, D-Norman.

A similar bill was advanced by the state Senate last month, and the governor has publicly supported the efforts, indicating these proposals likely will become law by the end of the legislative session.

Advocates for LGBTQ+ rights say bills like these can increase depression and bullying within the transgender community, as well as push more families out of the state.

"This politically motivated attack on transgender and nonbinary young people's ability to receive best-practice medical care goes against medical professional guidelines, and risks harming the mental health and well-being of young people across the state," said Troy Stevenson, director of state advocacy campaigns at The Trevor Project.

Yet Rep. Jim Olsen, R-Roland, a co-author of the trans legislation, claimed that science wasn't settled on issues of gender identity and whether surgeries and puberty blockers were appropriate.

"You cannot change your gender. Delusional play acting will not suffice in the long run," Olsen said.

Instead, those struggling with gender identity need "wise and clear biblical guidance," Olsen added.

Protesters against the bill gathered outside the House chambers, and some inside the gallery shouted once the vote was counted.

"You're killing children," someone shouted from the House gallery.

House Minority Leader Cyndi Munson accused Republicans of going along with proposals meant to appeal to their base.

"The cookie-cutter legislation that has spread like wildfire across this country to demonize and villainize a group of people so you can win an election, you are better than that," Munson said.

"This type of legislation, the debate we have on the floor ... they harm people, that's why people are yelling and walking out of the gallery."