Blumenthal Statement on Trump VA's Roll-Back of Health Care for Transgender Veterans

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] – Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee Ranking Member Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) today released a statement on the Trump Administration’s Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) rolling back the availability of gender-affirming care, as well as a directive to provide for the respectful delivery of health care to transgender veterans.

“Rescinding gender-affirming care is another cruel cut by Doug Collins for veterans. VA must serve all veterans—including the more than 130,000 veterans who identify as transgender,” said Blumenthal. “The service and sacrifice that these veterans, servicemembers, and their families make is no less than any other member who served. Secretary Collins’ policies and relentless political rampage at VA continues to be reckless and dangerous, especially for our transgender veterans who are at greater risk for veteran suicide and benefited from the gender-affirming care they received.”

Studies estimate there are 134,000 veterans and 15,000 servicemembers who identify as transgender. Transgender veterans die by suicide at almost six times the rate of the general population, and studies have shown that access to gender-affirming health care reduces suicidality and the rate of suicide attempts post-treatment. Transgender veterans are also at a greater risk of poverty, homelessness, and unemployment.

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