VA Rescinds Directive Regarding Trans and Intersex Care

Well, we pretty much saw this coming down the pike. It's still a real drag to see things like this implemented officially. According to recent reporting in The Advocate, under the guise of his "Protecting Women" executive order which defines sex as encompassing only male and female, the Trump administration has rescinded the VA's "Directive 1341, a policy that for years ensured transgender, nonbinary, and intersex veterans received respectful, clinically appropriate health care." That's right, men and women who have served our country faithfully, who have put their lives on the line while facing personal attacks from within (let's just call that "Friendly Fire") will now be at the mercy of the personal opinions of those treating them when they go in for any medical treatments.

 

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"Access to hormone therapy, mental health support, and the ability to use VA facilities in accordance with their gender identity" are just some of the ways in which the Directive established moral and decent care for trans veterans and service members. It was first established in 2018 as a way for trans and intersex persons to use the VA housing and bathrooms that align with their gender identity while receiving treatment in a VA facility.

Yes, take a look at that date. 2018. During Trump's first administration! If that ain't the purest form of irony, yer boy Hank here doesn't know what is.

 

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While VA press secretary Peter Kasperowicz demanded a retraction to The Advocate's story, claiming no such rescinding of the directive had occurred, a previous link to the Directive returns a "file not found" message, and the VHA Publications page clearly shows a rescission of the directive as of March 14th.

A VA doctor speaking anonymously stated:

This policy change is going to cause a lot of harm. Transgender veterans are already at significantly higher risk of suicide, and removing these protections will only deter them from seeking care at the VA, even when they are in crisis. The messaging from VA is that this won't impact patient care, but actions speak louder than words."

Veterans protest military cuts and other actions that negatively impact vets.

 

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Today, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) rescinded the Veterans Health Administration’s (VHA) Directive 1341 — a lifesaving policy that ensured transgender, nonbinary, and intersex veterans received respectful, clinically appropriate health care. The directive protected access to hormone therapy, mental health care, and other vital services, while guiding VA facilities in providing culturally competent care. Its repeal threatens the dignity and well-being of countless veterans who rely on VA for equitable and inclusive health services." (Joint statement by The Modern Military Association of America, Minority Veterans of America, SPARTA, and Out in National Security)

Actions like this, and the planned cuts of up to 80,000 VA employees, display "a blatant disregard for the nation's commitment to those who have served," said Rachel Branaman, executive director of the Modern Military Association of America.

The foundation of military service is trust, trust in leadership, in our fellow service members, and in the promise that if we give our all, we will be taken care of. Yet today, transgender service members are being forced out, denied basic dignity at the VA, and are now being stripped of the healthcare promised to every veteran who served honorably. This is a betrayal of that sacred trust, one that weakens our force, our veterans, and the nation we swore to defend. (SPARTA President Emily Shilling)

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