The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs announced Monday that it will phase out medical treatments for gender dysphoria and no longer provide funding.
The VA’s announcement comes in response to President Donald Trump’s “Defending Women from Gender Ideology Extremism and Restoring Biological Truth to the Federal Government” executive order. The VA is adjusting policies to fully comply with the EO.
“It is the policy of the United States to recognize two sexes, male and female. These sexes are not changeable and are grounded in fundamental and incontrovertible reality,” the executive order states.
According to a press release from the VA, any and all savings VA achieves by stopping specific medical treatments for gender dysphoria will be redirected to help severely injured VA beneficiaries, including paralyzed veterans and amputees, regain their independence.
VA will no longer offer cross-sex hormone therapy to veterans who have a current diagnosis or history of, or exhibit symptoms consistent with gender dysphoria, unless:
- Such veterans are already receiving such care from VA; or
- Such veterans were receiving such care from the military as part of and upon their separation from military service and they are eligible for VA health care.
Veterans who do not meet the criteria above are not eligible for cross-sex hormone therapy through VA health care. VA will not provide any other medical or surgical therapy for gender dysphoria to any patients in any circumstance.
“I mean no disrespect to anyone, but VA should not be focused on helping veterans attempt to change their sex. The vast majority of veterans and Americans agree, and that is why this is the right decision. All eligible veterans – including trans-identified veterans – will always be welcome at VA and will always receive the benefits and services they’ve earned under the law. But if veterans want to attempt to change their sex, they can do so on their own dime,” VA Secretary Doug Collins said in the press release Monday.
Eligible veterans diagnosed with gender dysphoria or identifying as trans will continue to receive comprehensive VA health care, which includes preventive and mental health care. VA medical care for eligible veterans who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual and queer will not be effected. VA’s LGBTQ+ Veteran Care Coordinator (VCC) and VISN Lead roles are not affected by the policy change, as they ensure clinically competent, veteran-centered and effective care. VCCs are familiar with best clinical practices, understand how to address health issues for LGBTQ+ veterans, and provide education and guidance at VA medical facilities.
Although VA has never offered sex-change surgeries, the department has provided treatment for gender dysphoria for more than a decade. VA has not kept consistent and reliable records regarding the total number of veterans who underwent procedures, the total amount of money spent or the total number of employees involved. Veterans Health Administration estimates indicate that less than 1/10 of one percent of the 9.1 million veterans enrolled in VA health care are trans-identified.
Until recently, however, VA had been promoting an array of services designed to help veterans attempt to change their sex, including:
- cross-sex hormone therapy
- voice and communication training
- so-called gender-affirming prosthetics, including breast forms, chest binders, dilator sets for post-vaginoplasty, packers, surgical compression vests and wigs
VA had been providing letters of support encouraging non-VA providers to perform sex-change surgeries on veterans, which had been authorized under Veterans Health Administration Directive 1341(4) which has now been rescinded.
VA facilities have already ensured that all intimate spaces, such as bathrooms, locker rooms and patient rooms, are designated by male or female or unisex for single-person spaces.
The Daily Wire reported today that, despite a military ban on “gender alterations,” the VA for years has provided procedures to treat veterans who present as the opposite sex.
The VA has provided prosthetic limbs for war heroes injured on the battlefield and also provided prosthetic penises and prosthetics designed to resemble breasts for veterans who identify as transgendered. Federal regulations do not permit VA medical services for “gender alterations.
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Rebecca Barnabi
