Wednesday, 19 Mar 2025

VA rescinds 2018 directive on transgender treatments, aligning with Trump 'two sexes' EO

The Department of Veterans Affairs rescinded its directive permitting transgender-related health care services, aligning with President Donald Trump's two-sexes executive order.


VA rescinds 2018 directive on transgender treatments, aligning with Trump 'two sexes' EO
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The VA maintains that it will not provide "gender-affirming" surgeries in its facilities or through non-VA care, as these procedures are excluded from the medical benefits package already. Additionally, the VA will not cover plastic reconstructive surgery for cosmetic or gender alteration purposes. The department also requires medical necessity for any surgical care provided, and gender alteration surgery remains unauthorized as a medical treatment.

The memo says the directive providing transgender treatments - such as hormone therapy, prosthetic devices, and other tools to aid in their presentation of the desired gender - was rescinded because "it is not compliant with the definitions and terms described" in Trump's executive order, "Defending Women from Gender Ideology Extremism and Restoring Biological Truth to the Federal Government."

Regarding VA facilities, the memo states the department has "already addressed that all intimate spaces such as bathrooms and locker rooms are designated by Sex (M, F) or unisex for single person spaces (e.g., one door, one stall bathroom)," adding that all "signage related to gender identity has been changed."

The Pentagon has also set deadlines for the end of the month to voluntarily part ways with transgender Marines, sailors, airmen and Guardians as part of Trump's order to discharge all transgender service members.

Fox News Digital has reached out to the VA for comment.

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