VA rescinds 2018 directive on transgender treatments, aligning with Trump 'two sexes' EO

https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/other/va-rescinds-2018-directive-on-transgender-treatments-aligning-with-trump-two-sexes-eo/ar-AA1B6id6?ocid=hpmsn&cvid=ecefb4912cb547a0cafdadb031b72d4e&ei=26

Story by Jamie Joseph (17 Mar 2025)

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) quietly rescinded a 2018 policy providing transgender-related medical services to transgender and intersex veterans on Friday, aligning the VA with the Trump administration's orders to part ways with "radical gender ideology" within the U.S. military.

The memo states the VA "will conduct a comprehensive review of care with respect to trans-identifying Veterans and will undergo the rulemaking process to revise the medical benefits package as deemed necessary; however, this rescission does not affect existing clinical guidance."

The VA maintains that it will not provide "gender-affirming" surgeries in its facilities or through non-VA care, as these procedures are excluded from the medical benefits package already. Additionally, the VA will not cover plastic reconstructive surgery for cosmetic or gender alteration purposes. The department also requires medical necessity for any surgical care provided, and gender alteration surgery remains unauthorized as a medical treatment.

The memo says the directive providing transgender treatments – such as hormone therapy, prosthetic devices, and other tools to aid in their presentation of the desired gender – was rescinded because "it is not compliant with the definitions and terms described" in Trump's executive order...

So here we go again into the phobic world.  The VA never did support surgery etc. but did help with voice, prosthetics and HRT.  I'll find out today how my world is affected.  I'll try to let you know the results.

Mirroring the experience of our S. Dakota sister, my VA primary care assured me that those on HRT are supported for the foreseeable future.  The caveat, things may change, applies.  The presumption is those who began HRT under the DoD continues under the VA.

Quote from: D'Amalie on March 19, 2025, 03:20:56 PMThe presumption is those who began HRT under the DoD continues under the VA.

That is my understanding too. With the VA, they have begun the rulemaking process to change the medical benefits package to align with Trump's Executive Opinion. Since the words "transgender" and "intersex" are now banned words for federal government documents, memos, and policies, it isn't difficult to figure out where this is going.

As long as the diagnosis resulting in HRT remains, we should be okay.  Not so the rest of the Veteran sisterhood.  What other maladies call for HRT?

Quote from: D'Amalie on March 20, 2025, 01:02:58 PMAs long as the diagnosis resulting in HRT remains, we should be okay.  Not so the rest of the Veteran sisterhood.  What other maladies call for HRT?

HRT is a common treatment for menopause, or for women who have had a complete hysterectomy. If they are missing ovaries, hormone replacement is needed to maintain health. Thus it applies to transgender women who do not have ovaries or a uterus. The main difference is dosage. For menopause, a lower dose is sufficient. Since we are trying to get through puberty, our serum levels need to be higher. After breast development and/or surgery, that dose can be lowered to a maintenance level which could still be higher than a menopause dosage.

Other conditions can cause a hormonal imbalance that might be treated with exogenous hormones as well.

As long as the ferrets don't key in on the words transgender female in my medical records, 'cause its there in every entry from 10 years ago, we'll be safe enough. 

But if they start mining for medical records that say "trans..." anywhere as well as keying on HRT, then all bets are off.  Those of us that have officially changed name or gender are potentially at risk only where historical records can be tied to current ones.  We need the law to protect us!

I specifically asked my doctors if my medical records might get altered since certain words are now banned. They said it is not likely because of HIPAA and other privacy laws, and they document medical history.

My sarcastic response: "Yes, and this President honors privacy and anti-discrimination laws and has never tried to erase history."

< sound of crickets >

Scary times.