“If Veterans want to attempt to change their sex, they can do so on their own dime,” Sec. Doug Collins said.
WASHINGTON, D.C., USA — The Department of Veterans Affairs announced on Monday that it will phase out medical treatment for gender dysphoria in response to an executive order from President Trump signed the day he entered office.
A release from the VA says the change, initiated by Trump’s “Defending Women from Gender Ideology Extremism and Restoring Biological Truth to the Federal Government” executive order, means they will not offer “cross-sex hormone therapy” to veterans unless they already receiving that care from the VA or the military and are eligible for VA health care.
The release also adds they 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,” said VA Secretary Doug Collins.
“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.”
Officials say until recently, the VA provided sex change services like 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.”
