Transgender veterans sue VA for excluding gender-affirming surgery from health benefits

https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/other/transgender-veterans-sue-va-for-excluding-gender-affirming-surgery-from-health-benefits/ar-BB1hgELu?cvid=4c2f5b6860b344969a28fdc2fc21c583&ei=5

Story by Ellen Mitchell (25 Jan 2025)

A transgender veterans advocacy group sued the U.S. government Thursday for excluding gender-confirmation surgery from the health benefits of former service members. 

The Transgender American Veterans Association (TAVA) filed a federal lawsuit against the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) over the group's 2016 petition that asked the VA to start the process to alter its health benefits to cover gender-confirmation surgery for trans veterans.

It has been nearly eight years since TAVA submitted the petition and more than two years since VA Secretary Denis McDonough pledged to make such care available, but the department has yet to make any moves on the matter. 

"Three years ago today, President Biden repealed the military's ban on transgender service members," TAVA President Rebekka Eshler said in a statement announcing the lawsuit. "Yet when we return from service, we do not receive the same level of healthcare from the VA that other veterans do. The natural next step toward transgender people's true inclusion in the military is for the VA to remedy this gap. Transgender veterans have waited far too long for the VA to provide the gender-affirming surgery so many of us need to survive."

Not holding my breath.  It took 50+ years to fully acknowledge Agent Orange and then another 30 for middle east burn pits, etc.  All now covered by PACT, but only after thousands of vets have died off.  INCLUDING my father; Korea in the early and mid 50's and South Vietnam '68 - 70.  In my mind, simply a way to avoid cost of care.

I expect this topic take another 20 years.  A law suit won't budge ignorance.  just look at Roe vs. Wade fallout.  Add the political complexities, I fully expect the executive branch to again restrict Transfolk from serving the nation.  I wish I knew how many young folks, of the 20% qualified to do so, would serve could they do so.

At the moment VA will voice coach, HRT and assist with basic prosthetics.  Therapy only insofar as it deals with threat of suicide in the vet population.

This surmise based on my experience.  YMMV.

Thanks for the heads up, Jessica-Rose!  Wonderful to feel there are like minds trying to help.  Hand Salute.

Quote from: Jessica_Rose on January 26, 2024, 12:50:06 PMTransgender veterans sue VA for excluding gender-affirming surgery from health benefits

https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/other/transgender-veterans-sue-va-for-excluding-gender-affirming-surgery-from-health-benefits/ar-BB1hgELu?cvid=4c2f5b6860b344969a28fdc2fc21c583&ei=5

Story by Ellen Mitchell (25 Jan 2025)

A transgender veterans advocacy group sued the U.S. government Thursday for excluding gender-confirmation surgery from the health benefits of former service members. 

The Transgender American Veterans Association (TAVA) filed a federal lawsuit against the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) over the group's 2016 petition that asked the VA to start the process to alter its health benefits to cover gender-confirmation surgery for trans veterans.

It has been nearly eight years since TAVA submitted the petition and more than two years since VA Secretary Denis McDonough pledged to make such care available, but the department has yet to make any moves on the matter. 

"Three years ago today, President Biden repealed the military's ban on transgender service members," TAVA President Rebekka Eshler said in a statement announcing the lawsuit. "Yet when we return from service, we do not receive the same level of healthcare from the VA that other veterans do. The natural next step toward transgender people's true inclusion in the military is for the VA to remedy this gap. Transgender veterans have waited far too long for the VA to provide the gender-affirming surgery so many of us need to survive."