Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Saturday issued a series of rules designed to stop the use of conversion therapy, in which therapists try to change the sexual orientation or gender identity of gay, lesbian or transgender people.
The regulations will prevent health insurers from covering the process for minors in New York and they keep mental health facilities from subjecting minors to the therapy as well. They also reconfirm a ban on payment by Medicaid, the federal and state insurance program for the poor.
"Conversion therapy is a hateful and fundamentally flawed practice that is counter to everything this state stands for," Cuomo said in announcing the changes which are being enacted through the regulatory process. "New York has been at the forefront of acceptance and equality for the LGBT community for decades -- and today we are continuing that legacy and leading by example. We will not allow the misguided and the intolerant to punish LGBT young people for simply being who they are."
A battle over conversion therapy has been playing out in the Legislature for several years. A measure banning its use on minors passed in the Democratic-led Assembly but didn't get through the Republican controlled Senate.
Cuomo's measure doesn't require legislative approval since it impacts regulations carried out by state agencies such as the Department of Financial Services, which regulates health insurers and the state Health Department which oversees Medicaid.
The move drew praise from a number of groups supporting LGBT rights.
"Today, every New Yorker who cares for the health and well-being of children can celebrate. No longer will unscrupulous peddlers of this dangerous pseudoscience victimize LGBT youth in New York State," declared a statement from Empire State Pride Agenda.
"Today's announcement is yet another bold move made by Governor Cuomo to protect the rights of LGBT New Yorkers," said Kristin Brown Lilley, vice president for policy and government relations at the Empire Justice Center.
"Governor Cuomo's announcement represents another step this administration has taken to address the needs of LGBT New Yorkers," added Donna Lieberman executive director of the NYCLU. She added in a release that they plan to review details of the regulations to ensure they strike a balance between regulating professions and allowing free speech.
"This is a good step forward toward protecting New Yorkers from this abominable practice," said Mike Gianaris, deputy Senate Democratic minority leader, adding that he had sponsored similar legislation.
The announcement by Cuomo came several hours before he was scheduled to be honored Saturday by the Human Rights Campaign, a national LGBT-rights organization that was holding its annual gala in New York City.
Cuomo last October issued regulations aimed at preventing discrimination against transgender people.
Conversion therapy has been disavowed by many therapists as well as medical professionals. The governor's notice of the new rules includes statements from organizations such as the National Association of Social Workers and NYS Academy of Pediatrics, whose chairman, Dr. Warren Seigel said "Being lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender is not a disease."
(c)2016 the Times Union (Albany, N.Y.)
