The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) drew severe criticism after it rescinded a number of protections for transgender veterans. This decision has raised deep fears about discrimination in the agency. This decision follows the Trump administration’s series of policy flip flops. These developments threaten the existence of, and access to, life-saving gender-affirming care for trans people. Critics from the ranks of Congress and mental health professionals, alarmed by these changes, have taken to the airwaves. They contend that these changes would drastically negatively impact at-risk veteran communities.
In March, the VA placed its Office of Equity Assurance on administrative leave, heightening fears regarding the agency’s commitment to equitable treatment. These serious allegations include that the VA systematically discriminates against transgender veterans by discriminating and thereby denying access to essential care. Additionally, the VA’s recent modifications to medical bylaws reportedly allow healthcare providers to refuse treatment based on veterans’ political affiliations or personal characteristics.
All of this has been made worse by the VA’s recent purge of educational materials for inclusivity and gender identity. A women’s health medical director at a California VA hospital reported that fundamental information about women’s healthcare was stripped from her facility. These overzealous measures have helped produce a chilling effect. In turn, providers are unable to deliver the empathetic, holistic care that health professionals want to provide.
Policy Reversals and Their Implications
Yet, that’s exactly what the Trump administration has proposed to do with a controversial new policy. They overturned an agency-wide policy that in the past ensured access to gender-affirming care for transgender veterans. Consequently, veteran constituents are often left feeling even more alienated inside a system that is supposed to advocate for them. Those proposed changes have raised alarms over the potential for widespread discrimination. In practice, millions of healthcare providers are now under mandates to code patients against their gender identity and identity markers.
A prominent example was the case of a therapist who was forced to use a transgender patient’s birth name in clinical paperwork. Yet this decision goes against the very respect and dignity that many advocates agree ought to be central to healthcare. This directive is a clear call back to Trump’s executive order, which sought to roll back discriminatory protections for transgender people.
As these changes play out, many veterans and advocates are still wary of the VA’s intentions and its ability to treat veterans equitably. Concerns have emerged that the new policies are a thinly veiled attempt to undermine previous protections established during the Obama administration.
“If this change isn’t going to lead to any of the things we’re worried about, why would they make it?”
During all this upheaval, the VA has worked to convey the message that, despite all the changes, veterans will continue to receive helpful services. Secretary Doug Collins stated, “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.” Critics counter that no matter what the changes, they’re indicative of a much deeper philosophy at work that does not put a premium on inclusiveness.
Congressional Response and Public Outcry
These welcomed changes have not escaped the attention of those on Capitol Hill. Senators like Richard Blumenthal and Chuck Schumer have joined advocacy organizations in calling out the agency’s movement. Over 70 members of the House of Representatives showed their “deep dismay” over the repeal of medical bylaws. They did raise the alarm about the risk of discrimination against marginalized communities.
Senator Patty Murray asked the right questions about what these new policies will mean for kids at recent confirmation hearings. “Did you take out the provision that says health care practitioners shall provide services to veterans notwithstanding their political beliefs and marital status,” she pressed. In her response to this planned change, she underscored fears that these changes could allow discrimination against veterans based on their identities or religious beliefs.
Murray emphasized the importance of clear communication from the VA: “When you take words out, people hear them.” Veterans and advocates say they’re becoming increasingly alarmed by the changes. They worry that these changes will create a hostile climate for people in need of care.
“Nothing was changed that actually affected protections for veterans,” – Doug Collins
Though Collins promised that this was not the case, many are still skeptical, claiming that removing anti-discrimination language breaks the trust in the agency. Experts such as Harold Kudler, a former top VA mental health official, have condemned the changes as detrimental to both patients and clinicians.
“A psychotherapist who can neither be present nor genuine with patients is seriously compromised,” – Harold Kudler
Kudler cautioned that the lack of in-person care erosions would further suffocate open lines of communication between veterans and their care teams. “By creating an environment in which neither veteran nor clinician feels safe in speaking frankly and honestly, there can be no new understanding, no growth, and no healing.”
The Future of Care for Transgender Veterans
The current contentious debate over these policy changes raises a number of critical questions. What does the future look like for transgender veterans living under the VA umbrella? Advocates for inclusivity have been calling for the restoration of these protections as well as educational materials rooted in the reality of gender diversity. Without these improvements, they write, all veterans can’t expect to receive fair treatment.
Selena Coppa, a long-time grassroots advocate, painted a chilling picture when she described the current climate as “a bad horror film.” She stated her strong alarm over how these shifts would affect underrepresented populations among the veteran community. Setting such a precedent would be equally dangerous and bad policy. This sets a dangerous precedent, not just for transgender veterans, but for any person who relies on government services to support their health and wellness.
Debates around these hot button topics are lively and active. That’s why it’s so important for stakeholders to meaningfully come together to pursue thoughtful policy solutions that ensure the rights of all veterans are protected. The stakes could not be higher! Tens of millions of lives depend on every American having access to safe, respectful, healthcare environments where no one has to worry about their dignity.