Transgender Veterans Sue VA for Sex-Change Surgery Coverage

The lawsuit, filed by the Transgender American Veterans Association, argues that the lack of coverage increases risk of harm and suicide among transgender veterans.

Transgender veterans, represented by the Transgender American Veterans Association (TAVA), have filed a lawsuit against the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) demanding that the government pay for their sex-change operations.
The surgeries, which can cost between $50,000 to $130,000, are currently not covered by the VA, which does offer some gender-affirming treatments such as hormone therapy.
The lawsuit was filed after VA Secretary Denis McDonough failed to fulfill a promise made in 2021 to include gender confirmation surgery in the VA's care.
Among those suing is Natalie Kastner, a disabled veteran who almost died attempting a self-performed orchiectomy due to the prohibitive cost of the surgery.
The lawsuit argues that the lack of coverage for gender confirmation surgery increases the risk of physical harm, psychological distress, and suicide among transgender veterans.