WILSON COUNTY, Tenn. (WKRN) — Wilson County Schools are once again in the middle of a culture war as an insurance policy change on gender reassignment for employees is up for discussion on Monday night.

According to Monday's agenda, the district’s insurance company is asking the school district to include the language in their policy in order to be in compliance with laws and regulations that center around mental health.

“Gender reassignment services" is new language that the insurance company for Wilson County schools is strongly recommending the district include in its health plan for employees.

“I expect it to be a very heated debate,” JC Bowman, Executive Director of Professional Educators of Tennessee, said.

According to current and previous school board members, the language was excluded in the policy last year. Now their insurance company is strongly recommending removing that exclusion, or it could potentially face consequences.

"Either side, there is going to be litigation possible on this, and so they are going to need to have discussion on where is the risk going to fall on?” Bowman said.

The change would cover services and supplies provided in connection with gender transition when you have been diagnosed with gender identity disorder or gender dysphoria. Coverage would include, but is not limited to, sex change surgery, breast removal, hormone therapy, among a few other services.

However, the question is what happens if the district decides not to cover these services?

“You are in risk management in this business. There could be a group out there who does sue you because they don’t want it covered,” Bowman said.

Bowman said Wilson County is one of a few dozen districts in the state that are self-funded. “Self-funded, you control the costs a little better because you can exclude or include things."

However, he said another possibility is looking into other insurance options, such as the state plan, but that could mean costs would most likely go up and impact the overall budget.

“They are one of the best-run districts in the state, I think they will have discussion and debate prior to this decision, and it will be ongoing,” Bowman said.
 

News Source : https://www.wkrn.com/news/local-news/wilson-county-tn-gender-reassignment-insurance-policy-for-employees/