TRENTON, NJ — New Jersey is home to hundreds of thousands of military veterans, many disfigured and suffering from the trauma of wars going back to the Vietnam war. Now, there’s some good news. Veterans in the Garden State and throughout the entire nation suffering from war-related conditions and illnesses will be put back at the front of the line at the local VA offices.
The Department of Veterans Affairs announced Monday that it will phase out medical treatments for gender dysphoria following an executive order from President Donald Trump. The decision, which takes effect immediately, halts new prescriptions for cross-sex hormone therapy and eliminates other gender-affirming treatments.
The change follows Trump’s “Defending Women from Gender Ideology Extremism and Restoring Biological Truth to the Federal Government” order, which states that federal policy will recognize only two sexes, male and female. VA Secretary Doug Collins said the move aligns the department’s policies with the directive.
“I mean no disrespect to anyone, but VA should not be focused on helping Veterans attempt to change their sex,” Collins said. “The vast majority of Veterans and Americans agree, and that is why this is the right decision.”
Existing patients currently receiving cross-sex hormone therapy through VA services will continue their treatment. Veterans who began such care while in the military and qualify for VA health care may also continue treatment. However, all other medical or surgical treatments for gender dysphoria are no longer covered.
VA officials said all cost savings from ending these services will be redirected to assist paralyzed veterans and amputees. The agency has not disclosed the total expenditures on gender dysphoria treatments in recent years but estimated that less than one-tenth of one percent of the 9.1 million VA health care enrollees identify as transgender.
Although the VA has never performed gender-affirming surgeries, it previously provided services such as voice training, hormone therapy, and certain medical devices. The department also issued letters supporting veterans seeking surgeries outside the VA system. These services were authorized under Veterans Health Administration Directive 1341(4), which has now been rescinded.
The VA clarified that LGBTQ+ veterans who do not seek gender-affirming treatment will not be affected by the policy change. VA’s LGBTQ+ Veteran Care Coordinator and VISN Lead roles remain in place to provide support and education.
In addition to ending treatments for gender dysphoria, VA facilities have designated all shared spaces, such as bathrooms and locker rooms, by sex or as unisex single-person areas.
The policy shift marks a major reversal of previous VA initiatives and aligns with the administration’s broader stance on gender identity and health care.