EXCLUSIVE: Ingoglia files bill requiring companies pay for employee sex transition reversal surgeries
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (FLV) – Sen. Blaise Ingoglia, R-Spring Hill, filed a bill to require companies that pay for employees to travel to other states for sex transition surgeries to also pay for potential future transition reversal surgeries.
The bill is called the “Reverse Woke Act.” Under the legislation, employers would be required to pay for the transition reversal surgeries if the person desired one, regardless if the employee is still actively working for the company or not.
“Woke businesses need to be held accountable when offering to pay for gender affirming surgeries in other states, such as California because they are nothing more than political decisions masquerading as healthcare and human resource decisions,” Ingoglia said in a press release.
At least 27 companies have pledged to pay for travel and transitioning surgeries for Floridians in other states, the press release said. The employers would reportedly be subject to a civil action lawsuit for any damages if the employer covers the costs for transitioning surgeries but refuses to cover the reverse treatment.
“Floridians should not be used as political pawns to advance a leftist agenda for the Governor of California. If these companies truly cared about their employees, this should be a no-brainer for them,” Ingoglia said.
Florida medical boards approved a rule Feb. 10 to prohibit minors from receiving puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones, and surgery to treat gender dysphoria Friday.
The Florida Department of Health recommended against gender transition for minors in 2022. The department highlighted an interview from Chloe Cole who was treated with puberty blockers and testosterone at the age of 13 to treat gender dysphoria.
Cole has since regretted her decision and has spoken against these treatments and surgeries in several hearings.
Other people have shared their stories with the Florida Board of Medicine and the Florida Board of Osteopathic Medicine committee after they detransitioned to their original sex.
However, supporters of gender affirming surgery and medications believe these decisions should be between the doctor and patient, not the state. Others said the treatments prevent people from committing suicide.
Earlier this year, Gov. Ron DeSantis said he will work with the legislature to pass legislation prohibiting doctors from performing sex changes on minors in Florida. The governor wants those doctors performing those procedures on minors to lose their medical licenses.
“We actually have very, you know, young adults who went through this when they were minors, and they’re saying this was a huge mistake,” DeSantis said. “And in fact, that’s not evidence-based when you start talking about sex changes and puberty blockers.”
Florida’s Voice has previously reported on a Florida-based company planning to cover sex reassignment surgeries. The medical plan for travel benefits up to $2,500 “for services unavailable within 100 mile radius of your home.” It is unclear whether the coverage applies to minors.
