Gov. Beshear’s conversion therapy, transgender Medicaid coverage veto overturned

FRANKFORT, Ky. (FOX 56) — The General Assembly has overturned the governor’s veto on House Bill 495.

“The Republican-led legislature just overrode my veto on House Bill 495, which will allow conversion therapy in Kentucky,” Gov. Andy Beshear announced on X, formerly known as Twitter, on the afternoon of March 27.

Beshear banned conversion therapy in the Commonwealth with a September 2024 executive order.

House Bill 495 saw a last-minute addition before the veto recess, moving forward with not only repealing a conversion therapy ban but also impacting transgender people on Medicaid. Medicaid coverage for cross-sex hormones or gender reassignment surgery will now be banned.

The Family Foundation policy director, Nick Spencer, supports the bill. He told FOX 56 he believes the governor’s executive order banning conversion therapy in the Commonwealth limits free speech, and people should be able to choose the counseling that fits them.

“Win for free speech, religious liberty, and for fiscal and moral sanity! Gov. Beshear’s veto on HB 495 has been overridden by both chambers. KY counselors and pastors can once again share the truth about God’s design for gender and sexuality. And our tax dollars will no longer pay for gender mutilation via Medicaid,” The Family Foundation wrote on X Thursday afternoon.

The Fairness Campaign called the override devastating.

“It’s a sad day in Kentucky. Two anti-LGBTQ bills will become law with devastating consequences for our community. HB495 opens the door to ‘conversion torture’ and denies Medicaid coverage for transgender healthcare. Likewise, SB2 denies healthcare to transgender inmates. Both are cruel and have no place in our Commonwealth,” Fairness Campaign Executive Director Chris Hartman said.

Senate Bill 2 was passed into law without the governor’s signature. Beshear said that he doesn’t believe that the state should pay for gender reassignment surgeries for convicted felons “as this would mean those in prison would receive better access to medical care than a law-abiding citizen.”

Beshear shared a video explaining the reported dangers the bill poses.

“Listen to the experts and survivors who know how dangerous this torture is. These are the voices they didn’t want you to hear. I hope you’ll listen,” he said.

Click here to view the governor’s response.