VA Rescinds Transgender Healthcare Policy, Aligning with Trump Administration’s Stance on Gender Identity
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has quietly reversed a 2018 policy that provided transgender-related medical services to transgender and intersex veterans, signaling a shift towards aligning with the Trump administration’s efforts to distance itself from what it terms "radical gender ideology" within the U.S. military. This move has raised concerns among LGBT activists and advocates for transgender rights, who view it as a discriminatory rollback of essential healthcare services for a vulnerable population.
The rescission, formalized in an internal memo, indicates the VA’s intention to conduct a comprehensive review of healthcare services provided to transgender veterans. Furthermore, the memo states the agency will undergo a rulemaking process to revise the medical benefits package as deemed necessary. Despite the rescission of the 2018 policy, the VA maintains that existing clinical guidance remains in effect.
However, the VA has clarified that it will continue its existing policy of not providing gender-affirming surgeries within its facilities or through non-VA care, as these procedures are already excluded from the medical benefits package. The VA also stated that it will not cover plastic reconstructive surgery for cosmetic or gender alteration purposes. The department emphasizes the requirement of medical necessity for any surgical care provided, reiterating that gender alteration surgery remains unauthorized as a medical treatment.
The policy shift comes in the wake of President Trump’s executive order, "Defending Women from Gender Ideology Extremism and Restoring Biological Truth to the Federal Government." The VA memo explicitly states that the rescinded directive was deemed non-compliant with the definitions and terms outlined in this executive order.
Despite the changes, the VA asserts that transgender and intersex veterans will continue to receive healthcare that is compatible with generally accepted standards of medical practice. According to the new guidance, healthcare professionals will determine the appropriate care to promote, preserve, or restore the health of the individual.
Regarding VA facilities, the memo states that the department has already addressed the designation of intimate spaces. Bathrooms and locker rooms are designated by sex (male, female) or are designated as unisex for single-person spaces. Signage related to gender identity has also been altered to reflect this policy.
In line with President Trump’s executive order, the VA will maintain sex-segregated spaces based on biological sex. Decisions regarding inpatient and residential room assignments will be made according to clinical guidance. If necessary, veterans may be assigned to private rooms or bathrooms.
President Trump’s executive order, signed in January, mandates that federal agencies adopt the definition of sex as recognizing only male and female. It requires replacing the term "gender" with "sex" in official federal materials, prohibiting funding for sex-change treatments and programs promoting "gender ideology," and prohibiting transgender individuals from using facilities or participating in programs that align with their gender identity.
The executive order and the VA’s subsequent actions have drawn criticism from LGBT activists, who have mobilized to challenge what they view as extreme gender ideology. Multiple lawsuits have been filed against President Trump’s executive orders on gender identity, as the administration challenges district court rulings through appeals.
The Pentagon has also set deadlines for transgender Marines, sailors, airmen, and Guardians to voluntarily leave the service as part of President Trump’s order to discharge all transgender service members.
The VA’s primary role is to provide healthcare, benefits, and support to veterans, including medical care, disability benefits, and financial assistance. It also helps veterans transition from military to civilian life.
The rescission of the transgender healthcare policy comes at a time when the VA is also facing potential downsizing. An internal memo obtained by The Associated Press indicates that the department will be a target of President Trump’s plan to downsize the federal workforce, with an expected 80,000 job cuts.
The VA’s decision to rescind the 2018 policy is a significant development in the ongoing debate over transgender rights and healthcare access. The move has been met with both support and opposition, and its long-term impact on transgender veterans remains to be seen. Critics argue that the policy change will harm transgender veterans by denying them access to medically necessary care, while supporters argue that it aligns with a more traditional understanding of sex and gender.
The debate over transgender healthcare is likely to continue, as different groups advocate for their respective positions. The VA’s decision underscores the ongoing tensions surrounding gender identity and the challenges of balancing the rights and needs of different groups within society.
The impact of this policy shift extends beyond healthcare access for transgender veterans. It also raises broader questions about the role of government in defining gender and the extent to which the government should accommodate diverse gender identities.
The decision by the VA is not an isolated event. It reflects a broader trend of governments and organizations grappling with the complexities of gender identity and the evolving understanding of sex and gender in society. The debate is likely to continue for years to come, with advocates on both sides working to shape policy and public opinion.
