In a blockbuster move sure to make American taxpayers happy and leftists "literally shake" with rage, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced Monday that it would be phasing out treatments for gender dysphoria, using the money saved to assist disabled veterans.
VA Secretary Doug Collins made the announcement on X, noting that veterans who want "to attempt to change their sex" can "do so on their own dime."
The official announcement by the VA referenced President Trump's "Defending Women from Gender Ideology Extremism and Restoring Biological Truth to the Federal Government" executive order (EO), which made it the official policy of the United States to recognize only two sexes, male and female, thus rejecting the biological fallacy that a person's sex is changeable. In accordance with the president's EO, the VA said it will be moving immediately to phase out any medical treatments previously allowed for veterans suffering with gender dysphoria.
Pentagon Orders Discharge of Transgenders
Per the VA:
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:
- Such Veterans are already receiving such care from VA; or
- Such Veterans were receiving such care from the military as part of and upon their separation from military service and they are eligible for VA health care.
Veterans who do not meet the criteria above are not eligible for cross-sex hormone therapy through VA health care. VA will not provide any other medical or surgical therapy for gender dysphoria to any patients in any circumstance.
The announcement makes clear that this does not affect the comprehensive health care, including mental health services, offered to "lesbian, gay, bisexual and queer" veterans. Secretary Collins is quoted as saying:
“I mean no disrespect to anyone, but 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. 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. But if Veterans want to attempt to change their sex, they can do so on their own dime.”
The announcement also notes that while transgender surgeries had never been offered by the VA, other treatments had been offered for the past decade, including:
- cross-sex hormone therapy
- voice and communication training
- so-called gender-affirming prosthetics, including breast forms, chest binders, dilator sets for post-vaginoplasty, packers, surgical compression vests, and wigs
Worse yet, the VA had actually been issuing letters urging non-VA providers to perform sex-change operations on veterans. And how much was spent on these efforts is anyone's guess, as the agency has apparently "not kept consistent and reliable records regarding the total number of Veterans who endured these procedures, the total amount of money spent on them or the total number of employees involved."
On a happier note, all of the savings incurred by ceasing these treatments will now be funneled into helping paralyzed and amputee veterans regain their independence.
DOGE is finding billions of dollars in wasteful spending, and the Democrats are losing their minds as they realize their gravy train and woke projects are coming to an end.
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