RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — Gender affirming care has recently become a heavy topic after President Donald Trump’s initial executive order that he signed early on in his presidency.
The order gives the military 30 days to identify and seek those who identify as transgender within the forces and have them removed after identification.
Due to the executive order, effective immediately, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) will no longer offer “cross-sex hormone therapy” to veterans who currently have or have had a history of symptoms that align with gender dysphoria according to the department, unless:
- Veterans are or have already received such care from the VA
- Such veterans were receiving the care from the military as a part of and upon their separation from military service and they are eligible for VA health care
Veterans who do not meet the criteria listed above are not eligible for cross-sex hormone therapy through VA health care — the VA will not provide surgical therapy for gender dysphoria patients under any circumstances, according to the department.
In a statement, VA Secretary Doug Collins said, “I mean no disrespect to anyone, but the 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.”
On a national level, a memo was sent to the Defense Department leaders on Thursday, Feb. 27 after the Pentagon filed it late Wednesday.
The memo was part of a response to the lawsuit that, according to the Associated Press, orders the services to set up procedures to identify troops being treated with gender dysphoria by March 26, and they will have 30 days to begin removing those troops from service.
Although VA has never offered sex-change surgeries prior to the new gender-affirming regulations, the VA promoted different services designed to help veterans 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
Eligible veterans diagnosed with gender dysphoria or who identify as transgender will continue to receive comprehensive VA health care, which includes preventative and mental health care.
