Transgender veterans’ health services in question as VA rescinds guidance on care
The Veterans Affairs Department on Friday reversed a policy that had protected gender-affirming healthcare provided to transgender veterans, causing confusion and fear in the community.
The internal memo said that the rescission of the directive “does not affect existing clinical guidance” and that the VA “affirms its commitment to provide care to all Veterans.”
Advocates had been bracing for the rescinding of the directive.
While transgender people make up a small percentage of the population, research suggest that they are more likely to serve in the military.
VA’s research shows that veterans who are sexual minorities — including LGBTQIA, non-binary, intersex and other veterans — are more likely than average veterans to take their own lives; that figure is higher for transgender veterans. Veterans have a higher average suicide rate than the general population.
In the internal memo, the VA also said it will “conduct a comprehensive review of care with respect to trans-identifying Veterans and will undergo the rulemaking process to revise the medical benefits package as deemed necessary”.
Church said advocates for these veterans are concerned the upcoming rule review could mean wholesale rollback on transgender health at the VA.
The VA currently offers gender-affirming healthcare that includes hormone treatment, prosthetic devices, as well as tools to help transgender veterans present as the gender identity of their choice.
While the VA does not offer gender-affirming surgeries, the rescinded directive also stipulated that veterans could receive surgeries for other medical conditions that also happen to be gender-affirming, such as procedures mitigating cancer risks.
In the wake of the White House executive order that says it’s now U.S. policy to “recognize two sexes, male and females,” the VA has removed references to the group on some of its websites as well as in internal documents in its healthcare system.
The VA has yet to respond to requests for comment on the new directive.