The Department of Veterans Affairs announced on Monday that it will no longer cover the cost of gender dysphoria treatment for veterans.
The decision was consistent with President Donald Trump’s executive order Defending Women from Gender Ideology Extremism and Restoring Biological Truth to the Federal Government, which stated that there are only two genders: male and female.
“These sexes are not changeable and are grounded in fundamental and incontrovertible reality,” according to the executive order.
The VA treated gender dysphoria for a decade. It never covered gender reassignment surgeries, but it did cover cross-sex hormone therapy and gender-affirming prosthetics like breast forms, chest binders, and dilator sets for post-vaginoplasty.
“I mean no disrespect to anyone, but VA should not be focused on helping Veterans attempt to change their sex,” VA Secretary Doug Collins said in a statement. “The vast majority of Veterans and Americans concur, which is why this is the appropriate decision.
All eligible Veterans, including transgender Veterans, are always welcome at the VA and will receive the benefits and services they have earned under the law. But if veterans want to try to change their gender, they can do so on their own dime.”
It is estimated that only 0.1 percent of the 9.1 million veterans seeking VA care identify as transgender. According to the VA’s website, there are no “consistent and reliable records” on the number of veterans who sought treatment or the costs associated with it.
The VA announced that the savings from ending gender reassignment treatment would be used to assist paralysed veterans.
Veterans receiving treatment for gender dysphoria through the VA are exempt from the policy change and can continue receiving care.
Meanwhile, the VA will issue letters of support to veterans to encourage other providers to offer gender reassignment treatment.
The Trump administration also gave transgender sailors and Marines until March 28 to voluntarily leave the military and receive separation pay. This was in response to Trump’s executive order that prohibited transgender people from serving in the military.
