Demand Equal Access to Health Care for All Veterans

An executive order issued by Donald Trump in January 2025 has prompted rule changes at Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) hospitals that could threaten veterans’ access to healthcare. Trump’s executive order allowed healthcare workers to deny care to veterans based on any characteristics, e.g. gender identity, not protected by federal law. The order’s primary purpose was to remove antidiscrimination protections for transgender people, and indeed, the VA has already discontinued provision of gender-affirming care and other services to transgender veterans. This order also opened the door for VA workers to refuse care to individuals based on traits like marital status and political affiliation.

The Guardian recently reported that VA hospitals have been quietly updating their bylaws to remove language barring discrimination against patients on the basis of traits like national origin, politics, and marital status. VA press secretary Peter Kasperowicz did not dispute that these rule changes could result in veterans being denied care, although others within the Trump administration have denied the Guardian’s claims.

The VA provides healthcare services to over 9 million United States veterans and their families. Mass firings at the VA and cuts to veterans’ health research are already threatening the quality and accessibility of veterans’ health services. Congress must condemn Trump’s discriminatory rule and demand its reversal to protect veterans’ healthcare access.