Steven L. Lieberman, the department’s acting undersecretary for health, wrote in a March 14 memo first reported by NPR that the VA would rescind a 2018 directive outlining “the respectful delivery of health care to transgender and intersex Veterans.”
“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,” VA Secretary Doug Collins said in a statement.
The directive protected access to treatments like hormone therapy and pre- and post-operative care for gender-affirming surgery. The VA has never offered transition-related surgeries.
In a news release on Monday, the VA said it was reversing the policy to comply with Trump’s Jan. 20 executive order proclaiming that the U.S. government recognizes only two sexes, male and female.
“Effective immediately, VA will not offer cross-sex hormone therapy to Veterans who have a current diagnosis or history of, or exhibit symptoms consistent with gender dysphoria,” said the department, adding that exceptions may be made for trans veterans who are already receiving care.
The department said Monday that it does not keep consistent or reliable records on the total number of veterans who have received gender transition care through the VA, the amount of money spent on treatment or the number of employees involved.
Read more from The Hill’s Brooke Migdon here.
