Following Trump order, VA to halt treatment for gender dysphoria
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) - The Department of Veterans Affairs, which has a huge presence in the CSRA, announced Monday it will phase out medical treatments for gender dysphoria.
It’s in response to an executive order by President Donald Trump.
Any and all savings VA achieves by stopping specific medical treatments for gender dysphoria will be redirected to help severely injured VA beneficiaries — such as paralyzed veterans and amputees — regain their independence, the agency said.
With a two-campus hospital in Augusta and facilities in outlying counties, the agency has a major presence in the CSRA. It employs about 2,700 people across the VA Augusta health system, which includes the two medical centers in Augusta and clinics in Athens, Aiken and Statesboro.
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Trump’s executive order states: “It is the policy of the United States to recognize two sexes, male and female. These sexes are not changeable and are grounded in fundamental and incontrovertible reality.”
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, unless:
- The veteran is already receiving such care from VA.
- The veteran was receiving such care from the military as part of and upon their separation from military service and is eligible for VA health care.
“VA will not provide any other medical or surgical therapy for gender dysphoria to any patients in any circumstance,” the department said.
Eligible veterans diagnosed with gender dysphoria or identifying as trans will continue to receive comprehensive VA health care, which includes preventive and mental health care.
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“Today’s announcement does not affect VA medical care for eligible Veterans who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual and queer,” the department said.
The department said that until recently, it had been promoting an array of services designed to help veterans attempt to change their sex, including:
- Cross-sex hormone therapy.
- Voice and communication training.
- Prosthetics, including breast forms, chest binders, dilator sets for post-vaginoplasty, packers, surgical compression vests and wigs.
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