WASHINGTON – House Republicans passed an $895.2 billion defense policy bill on Wednesday that includes a contentious provision to ban certain types of medical care for transgender children of military service members.
The provision added to the National Defense Authorization Act prohibits TRICARE, the health care program for active-duty service members and their families, from covering medical interventions for gender dysphoria treatments that “could result in sterilization” to children under 18. TRICARE has about 9.5 million beneficiaries worldwide, according to the Military Health System.
It’s likely that the provision will face tough hurdles in a Democrat-controlled Senate and is the latest proposal by Republicans to take aim at transgender issues.
Last month, House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., announced a policy banning transgender people from using restrooms in parts of the Capitol that correspond with their gender. It came after Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C., introduced a resolution with a similar effort targeting Democrat Sarah McBride of Delaware, who was elected as the first openly transgender woman in Congress in November.
The transgender issue has also sparked clashes beyond Congress to the Supreme Court, where justices debated earlier this month on whether states can prevent transgender adolescents from using puberty blockers and hormone therapy. Conservative justices