A controversial VA policy change, stemming from a Trump-era executive order, allows VA doctors to potentially refuse treatment to veterans based on political beliefs or marital status. Critics fear this could disproportionately affect female, LGBTQ+, and rural veterans.
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New VA policy sparks outrage as doctors may refuse treatment to Democrats and unmarried veterans alike
A new VA policy has sent shockwaves through both veteran communities and the medical community. The change, which follows a Trump-era executive order, has already raised serious ethical and legal concerns.
A contentious policy change at the Department of Veterans Affairs allows VA doctors to refuse treatment to veterans based on their political beliefs or marital status. Critics describe it as discriminatory and dangerous.
What exactly changed in the VA policy?
Psychologists, dentists, and a variety of other professions are subject to the new regulations. The new regulations have already taken effect in certain VA medical facilities, as per a report by The Guardian.
Executive order "Defending Women from Gender Ideology Extremism and Restoring Biological Truth to the Federal Government" issued by the president on January 30 is cited by VA officials as the reason for the modifications.
Regardless of race, colour, religion, or sex, medical personnel are still expected to treat veterans, and all veterans still have the right to care. However, since federal law does not specifically forbid it, individual employees are now free to refuse to provide patient care due to personal characteristics.
VA hospitals have the authority to exclude physicians and other medical personnel on the basis of union activity, marital status, or political party affiliation. Impacted are certified clinical social workers, podiatrists, speech therapists, chiropractors, CNPs, and optometrists, as per a document, reported The Guardian.
The executive order sought to deny the majority of government protections to transgender individuals. The VA no longer offers the majority of gender-affirming care and has prohibited the use of terms like "gender affirming" and "transgender" in clinical settings.
Has there been any response?
The VA press secretary, Peter Kasperowicz, responded to inquiries via email, saying that all eligible veterans will always be welcome at the VA and will always receive the benefits and services they have earned under the law.
However, he did not dispute that the new rules allowed doctors to refuse to treat veteran patients based on their beliefs or that doctors could be fired based on their political affiliation or marital status.
New VA policy sparks outrage as doctors may refuse treatment to Democrats and unmarried veterans alike
A controversial VA policy change, stemming from a Trump-era executive order, allows VA doctors to potentially refuse treatment to veterans based on political beliefs or marital status. Critics fear this could disproportionately affect female, LGBTQ+, and rural veterans.
By Global Desk
Follow us
Last Updated: Jun 17, 2025, 07:21:00 PM IST6
A new VA policy has sent shockwaves through both veteran communities and the medical community. The change, which follows a Trump-era executive order, has already raised serious ethical and legal concerns.
A contentious policy change at the Department of Veterans Affairs allows VA doctors to refuse treatment to veterans based on their political beliefs or marital status. Critics describe it as discriminatory and dangerous.
What exactly changed in the VA policy?
Psychologists, dentists, and a variety of other professions are subject to the new regulations. The new regulations have already taken effect in certain VA medical facilities, as per a report by The Guardian.
Executive order "Defending Women from Gender Ideology Extremism and Restoring Biological Truth to the Federal Government" issued by the president on January 30 is cited by VA officials as the reason for the modifications.
Regardless of race, colour, religion, or sex, medical personnel are still expected to treat veterans, and all veterans still have the right to care. However, since federal law does not specifically forbid it, individual employees are now free to refuse to provide patient care due to personal characteristics.
VA hospitals have the authority to exclude physicians and other medical personnel on the basis of union activity, marital status, or political party affiliation. Impacted are certified clinical social workers, podiatrists, speech therapists, chiropractors, CNPs, and optometrists, as per a document, reported The Guardian.
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The executive order sought to deny the majority of government protections to transgender individuals. The VA no longer offers the majority of gender-affirming care and has prohibited the use of terms like "gender affirming" and "transgender" in clinical settings.
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Has there been any response?
The VA press secretary, Peter Kasperowicz, responded to inquiries via email, saying that all eligible veterans will always be welcome at the VA and will always receive the benefits and services they have earned under the law.
However, he did not dispute that the new rules allowed doctors to refuse to treat veteran patients based on their beliefs or that doctors could be fired based on their political affiliation or marital status.
Although he acknowledged that the rule changes were made in accordance with Trump's executive order, he claimed they were merely "a formality."
Peter Kasperowicz stated that the changes were required to "make sure VA policy comports with federal law." He didn't specify which federal law or laws called for these modifications, as per a report.
The VA's Kasperowicz did not contest the report that the rule changes were implemented without consulting the system's doctors.
New VA policy sparks outrage as doctors may refuse treatment to Democrats and unmarried veterans alike
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Synopsis
A controversial VA policy change, stemming from a Trump-era executive order, allows VA doctors to potentially refuse treatment to veterans based on political beliefs or marital status. Critics fear this could disproportionately affect female, LGBTQ+, and rural veterans.
By Global Desk
Follow us
Last Updated: Jun 17, 2025, 07:21:00 PM IST
6
A new VA policy has sent shockwaves through both veteran communities and the medical community. The change, which follows a Trump-era executive order, has already raised serious ethical and legal concerns.
A contentious policy change at the Department of Veterans Affairs allows VA doctors to refuse treatment to veterans based on their political beliefs or marital status. Critics describe it as discriminatory and dangerous.
What exactly changed in the VA policy?
Psychologists, dentists, and a variety of other professions are subject to the new regulations. The new regulations have already taken effect in certain VA medical facilities, as per a report by The Guardian.
Executive order "Defending Women from Gender Ideology Extremism and Restoring Biological Truth to the Federal Government" issued by the president on January 30 is cited by VA officials as the reason for
Regardless of race, colour, religion, or sex, medical personnel are still expected to treat veterans, and all veterans still have the right to care. However, since federal law does not specifically forbid it, individual employees are now free to refuse to provide patient care due to personal characteristics.
VA hospitals have the authority to exclude physicians and other medical personnel on the basis of union activity, marital status, or political party affiliation. Impacted are certified clinical social workers, podiatrists, speech therapists, chiropractors, CNPs, and optometrists, as per a document, reported The Guardian.
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The executive order sought to deny the majority of government protections to transgender individuals. The VA no longer offers the majority of gender-affirming care and has prohibited the use of terms like "gender affirming" and "transgender" in clinical settings.
https://economictimes.indiatimes.co...t-day-is-juneteenth/articleshow/121885682.cms
Has there been any response?
The VA press secretary, Peter Kasperowicz, responded to inquiries via email, saying that all eligible veterans will always be welcome at the VA and will always receive the benefits and services they have earned under the law.
However, he did not dispute that the new rules allowed doctors to refuse to treat veteran patients based on their beliefs or that doctors could be fired based on their political affiliation or marital status.
Although he acknowledged that the rule changes were made in accordance with Trump's executive order, he claimed they were merely "a formality."
Peter Kasperowicz stated that the changes were required to "make sure VA policy comports with federal law." He didn't specify which federal law or laws called for these modifications, as per a report.
The VA's Kasperowicz did not contest the report that the rule changes were implemented without consulting the system's doctors.