Scope and carve-outs of the VA gender-dysphoria phase-out: existing hormone patients grandfathered, new patients barred
- Date
- Actor
- Department of Veterans Affairs / Veterans Health Administration; Secretary Doug Collins
- Agency
- Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
- Type
- Guidance/memo
Summary
Supplements the existing section 4 entries on the March 17, 2025 rescission of VHA Directive 1341(4) by specifying the operative carve-out, which the main chronology does not state. VA discontinued initiation of cross-sex hormone therapy for veterans newly diagnosed with gender dysphoria, while continuing hormone therapy for veterans already receiving it through VA — on the stated ground that abrupt discontinuation would cause harm — and for veterans who began that care while in military service. VA had never covered transition-related surgery (barred by 38 CFR 17.38(c)(4)); the March 2025 action reached the ancillary services VA had provided since 2011, including pre-operative evaluation, voice care, prosthetics and letters of support. Collins framed the change as a redirection of resources, stating that VA "should not be focused on helping veterans attempt to change their sex."
Status
In effect. As of August 2026 the grandfathering rule reportedly still holds — continued treatment for those enrolled before the March 2025 change — but veterans and clinicians interviewed at protests in early August 2026 described the continuation as insecure. VHA Directive 1341 does not appear in VA's published index of VHA directives, and no replacement directive on transgender or intersex veteran care has been issued. (See also sections 2, 4.)
As recorded in the data of . Check the sources for anything newer.