Trump’s VA Cuts Gender Ideology Funding, Prioritizes Disabled Veterans’ Care [WATCH]

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced Monday that it will begin phasing out treatments for gender dysphoria, reallocating the saved funds to assist disabled veterans.

The decision follows President Donald Trump’s executive order, Defending Women from Gender Ideology Extremism and Restoring Biological Truth to the Federal Government, which establishes the official U.S. policy recognizing only two sexes, male and female.

VA Secretary Doug Collins shared the announcement on X, stating that veterans who wish “to attempt to change their sex” will have to do so “on their own dime.”

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The VA confirmed that, effective immediately, it will no longer offer cross-sex hormone therapy to veterans diagnosed with or exhibiting symptoms of gender dysphoria, unless they meet the following conditions:

• They are already receiving such treatment from the VA.
• They were receiving such care from the military at the time of their separation and remain eligible for VA health care.

Veterans who do not meet these criteria will no longer be eligible for cross-sex hormone therapy through VA health care.

VA is phasing out treatment for gender dysphoria. All savings from this change will go toward helping paralyzed Veterans and amputees. I mean no disrespect to anyone, but if Veterans want to attempt to change their sex, they can do so on their own dime. https://t.co/gVzUhx2JDi

— VA Secretary Doug Collins (@SecVetAffairs) March 17, 2025

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Additionally, the agency will not provide any other medical or surgical therapy for gender dysphoria under any circumstances.

The VA clarified that while gender dysphoria treatments will be phased out, the department will continue providing comprehensive health care services, including mental health care, to all eligible veterans, including those who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, or queer.

Secretary Collins emphasized that the decision aligns with the priorities of the department and the expectations of the American people.

“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,” Collins said.

“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.”

While the VA has never covered transgender surgeries, it has provided various treatments related to gender transition over the past decade. These included:

• Cross-sex hormone therapy
• Voice and communication training
• Gender-affirming prosthetics, such as breast forms, chest binders, surgical compression vests, dilator sets for post-vaginoplasty, packers, and wigs

Additionally, the VA had been issuing recommendation letters encouraging non-VA providers to perform sex-change surgeries on veterans.

However, the department admitted that it has not maintained “consistent and reliable records” on the total number of veterans who received these treatments, the total cost incurred, or the number of employees involved in administering the programs.

With the discontinuation of gender dysphoria treatments, the VA confirmed that the savings will now be redirected toward assisting disabled veterans, including those who are paralyzed or amputees.

The reallocation of funds is aimed at providing better care and resources to help these veterans regain independence and improve their quality of life.

The policy shift reflects the Trump administration’s broader efforts to roll back federal support for gender ideology programs and refocus government spending on priorities affecting a larger portion of the veteran population.

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