The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) will phase out medical treatments for gender dysphoria, channeling all savings into care for paralyzed Veterans and amputees, the agency announced Monday.
The shift, effective immediately, aligns with President Donald Trump’s new executive order, “Defending Women from Gender Ideology Extremism and Restoring Biological Truth to the Federal Government,” signed earlier this month.
The EO declares a U.S. policy recognizing only “two sexes, male and female,” as unchangeable biological realities.
VA Secretary Doug Collins framed the move as a return to core priorities.
“I mean no disrespect to anyone, but the 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,” said VA Secretary Doug Collins.
READ: Scott, Moody Push Bill To Lock In Florida’s Water Permitting Power
Under the new rules, the VA halts cross-sex hormone therapy for Veterans with gender dysphoria unless they’re already receiving it from the VA or were on it at military discharge and qualify for VA care. No other gender dysphoria treatments—medical or surgical—will be offered.
Collins stressed that trans-identified Veterans remain eligible for comprehensive VA health care, including mental health and preventive services, but must seek sex-change procedures elsewhere “on their own dime.”
The policy scraps offerings like voice training, “gender-affirming” prosthetics (e.g., breast forms, chest binders), and letters supporting outside sex-change surgeries—previously authorized under a now-rescinded VHA Directive 1341(4).
VA, which never performed such surgeries, has provided dysphoria care for over a decade but lacks precise data on recipients or costs. VHA estimates suggest fewer than 0.1% of its 9.1 million enrolled Veterans identify as trans.
READ: Alan Dershowitz: Why ‘We Will Never Know’ If Autopen Pardons Are Invalid
LGBTQ+ care coordinators and leads remain in place to ensure “clinically competent” support is unaffected by the change. VA facilities have also redesignated intimate spaces—bathrooms, locker rooms, patient rooms—by sex or as unisex for single use, per the EO.
The pivot follows Trump’s push to roll back gender ideology in federal policy, spotlighting a clash over VA resources. Critics may decry lost access, but Collins insists all eligible Veterans, regardless of identity, are welcome—just not for sex-change pursuits.
With funds now earmarked for paralyzed vets and amputees, the VA signals a stark realignment of mission.
Please make a small donation to the Tampa Free Press to help sustain independent journalism. Your contribution enables us to continue delivering high-quality, local, and national news coverage.
Connect with us: Follow the Tampa Free Press on Facebook and Twitter for breaking news and updates.
Sign up: Subscribe to our free newsletter for a curated selection of top stories delivered straight to your inbox.
