A4TE Condemns Senate Vote to Ban Trans Healthcare in NDAA

Today, the U.S. Senate passed the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which includes provisions that severely restrict access to trans-related healthcare for the transgender children of service members. Advocates for Trans Equality (A4TE) Director of Federal Policy, Olivia Hunt, responded with the following statement: 

“Every military family deserves respect and access to essential healthcare - free from the interference of political agendas. This legislation includes provisions that prohibit TRICARE from covering medically necessary healthcare for trans family members of service members under the age of 18. 

“Denying lifesaving, medically necessary care to trans members of military families creates profound hardships, forcing service members to make impossible choices between their duty and the health and wellbeing of their loved ones. Politicizing access to evidence-based healthcare undermines the principles of fairness, dignity, and respect that our nation aspires to. No one should have to choose between their duty and protecting their family. 

“Including this discriminatory provision in what has historically been bipartisan legislation is a disgraceful move by anti-trans politicians pandering to a fringe segment of their base. By passing this harmful legislation, the Senate has failed our service members and their families. This decision prioritizes political gamesmanship over the dignity, rights, and wellbeing of those who serve our nation and set a dangerous precedent of governmental overreach into decisions that should remain between doctors and families. 
 
“If signed by the president, the passage of the NDAA will mark the first piece of federal legislation to restrict access to medically necessary healthcare for transgender adolescents. It would be heartbreaking for an administration that has sought to advance the rights of LGBTQI+ Americans more than any other to date, to enact a law that would endanger countless trans youth. We urge President Biden to take a strong stance for trans youth and their families and veto this bill. “ 

Trans people have a proud history of military service, with nearly one in five identifying as active-duty members or veterans - almost double the rate of the general population. Despite some progress, trans veterans still face significant challenges, including barriers to updating service records, accessing VA coverage for necessary care, and receiving services free from discrimination. 

To learn more about the needs of trans veterans and service members and find support for them and their families, explore the Advocates for Trans Equality Military and Veterans resource guide: https://transequality.org/issues/military-veterans 

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