VA Nurses Condemn Ban on Gender-Affirming Care for Trans Veterans

VA Nurses Advocate for Gender-Affirming Care as Essential Health Services

Registered nurses working at Veterans Administration (VA) facilities nationwide have voiced strong opposition to a recent policy change announced by the VA secretary. This decision will cease providing gender-affirming health care to new transgender and intersex veteran patients. The nurses, represented by National Nurses United (NNU), emphasize that all patients should have access to comprehensive health care options that are known to enhance quality of life.

Concerns are particularly heightened for transgender veterans, who face multiple health risks. The nurses argue that denying care to intersex veterans further exemplifies an attack on health services for vulnerable groups, rather than a policy aimed at patient welfare.

“Gender-affirming care is health care, and health care is a human right,” stated Justin Wooden, an RN in the intensive care unit at James A. Haley Veterans' Hospital in Tampa, Florida. “Our patients are veterans. Many of our colleagues are veterans. They served this country, but now, it seems like the current administration is denying them health care, part of a bigger project to erase them completely. Our patients deserve this health care. Prohibiting the VA from prescribing hormone replacement therapy for veterans is a clear attack on the existence of trans people.”

NNU represents a significant portion of the nursing workforce, with over 15,000 registered nurses serving at 23 VA facilities across the United States.

National Nurses United is the largest and fastest-growing union and professional association of registered nurses in the United States, boasting more than 225,000 members nationwide. NNU's affiliates include the California Nurses Association/National Nurses Organizing Committee, DC Nurses Association, Michigan Nurses Association, Minnesota Nurses Association, and New York State Nurses Association.

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