Pfc. Chelsea Manning poses for a photo wearing a wig and lipstick.
WASHINGTON - While Veterans Affairs hospitals are facing intense public criticism over wait lists and bonuses awarded to staffers that allegedly set aside disgruntled patients, the Army Times revealed this week a group of veterans that is getting at least part of the care they demand: transgenders.
In 2013, the Veterans Affairs department treated 2,567 veterans with the diagnosis of gender dysphoria with transgender-specific care, according to Ndidi Mojay, a VA spokeswoman. The department does not have a cost estimate for the treatment, which can include male or female hormones depending on gender.
"Few transgender individuals pursue a goal of transformation to the other gender that also includes the complete set of sex reassignment surgeries," Mojay said in an email. "The VA does not pay for or support sex reassignment surgeries."
The VA has supported counseling, cross-sex hormone therapy, evaluations for sex reassignment surgeries performed outside the department and post-reassignment surgical care since 2011, Mojay said.
More at Army Times.
