Colorado General Assembly codifies gender affirming health care protections

The Colorado House convened on April 6, 2025, for Legislative Day 089, focusing primarily on a significant bill concerning access to gender-affirming health care. The meeting began with a summary of the bill, which aims to codify gender-affirming health care treatments into state law and ensure that health benefit plans cannot deny or limit medically necessary care as determined by qualified health care providers.

The bill, sponsored by a coalition of House members including Brown, Titton, and Duran, outlines that gender-affirming health care encompasses a wide range of medical services, including hormone therapy, various surgical procedures, and mental health support. It emphasizes that all health benefit plans issued or renewed in Colorado must provide coverage for these services, regardless of the covered person's gender identity.

A notable provision of the bill exempts prescriptions for testosterone from the tracking requirements of the Prescription Drug Use Monitoring Program, ensuring privacy for individuals receiving this treatment. The bill also mandates that archived records of testosterone prescriptions be blocked from view, further protecting patient confidentiality.

The discussion included a detailed examination of the definitions and scope of gender-affirming health care, which includes both surgical and non-surgical interventions aimed at treating gender dysphoria. The bill's proponents highlighted the importance of access to these services for the well-being of individuals experiencing gender dysphoria.

As the meeting progressed, the House took a brief recess before continuing with further discussions and potential amendments to the bill. The outcome of this legislative effort could have significant implications for health care access and rights for transgender individuals in Colorado. The next steps will involve further readings and potential votes as the bill moves through the legislative process.