Biden administration to offer gender reassignment surgery to trans veterans
Transgender veterans are to be offered gender reassignment surgery, the Biden administration announced on Saturday.
The move was announced by Veterans Affairs Secretary, Denis McDonough, at a Pride event in Orlando, Florida.
According to the National Centre for Transgender Equality, there are more than 134,000 transgender veterans in the US.
It also estimates that there are a further 15,000 currently serving in the armed forces.
The Veterans Affairs Department estimates that approximately 4,000 people will be interested in the surgery.
"We’re making these changes not only because they are the right thing to do, but because they can save lives," Mr McDonough said.
“LGBTQ+ veterans experience mental illness and suicidal thoughts at far higher rates than those outside their community,” he added.
“But they are significantly less likely to seek routine care, largely because they fear discrimination.
“At VA, we’re doing everything in our power to show veterans of all sexual orientations and gender identities that they can talk openly, honestly and comfortably with their health care providers about any issues they may be experiencing.”
The Biden administration has sought to make the VA more welcoming for all veterans.
In a parallel move, it will rename its LGBT health program to the LGBTQ+ program to “reflect new community standards of inclusiveness and anticipate future changes in terms.”
It reflects a sharp change in policy from the previous administration.
Donald Trump sought to ban transgender individuals from joining the armed services. Citing cost and morale, he also refused to authorise surgery for those already in the ranks.
Republicans were swift to condemn Mr McDonough’s announcement.
"President Biden and Secretary McDonough should be less focused on winning the culture wars and more focused on helping the veterans who are suffering from the actual wars," Republican member the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee, Mike Bost, told Fox News.
"Congress has been waiting for months for them to come to the table and help us deliver care and benefits to toxic-exposed veterans who are sick and dying.
“We have gotten no response. "Yet somehow they found time to decide that taxpayers should pay for gender transition surgeries at VA medical facilities."
