Transgender veterans are suing the federal government to force it to pay for their sex-change operations, which cost up to $130,000 each.
The Transgender Veterans Association of America argued in its federal lawsuit filed Thursday that Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Denis McDonough has failed to deliver on promises made in 2021.
Those suing include Natalie Kastner, a 39-year-old disabled veteran from Texas who nearly died when she punctured an artery while trying to castrate herself with a pair of scissors.
“Failure to provide gender confirmation surgery [that] puts transgender veterans at increased risk of physical harm, psychological distress and suicide,” the group’s lawsuit said.
There are about 150,000 living transgender veterans, and at least 10,000 are receiving transition-related care, the group said. The VA already covers some treatments, including hormone therapy, at some of its facilities.
Without funding, transgender veterans are forced to either pay for “often prohibitive” procedures – costing between $50,000 to $130,000 – or continue to suffer from gender dysphoria, the group said.
Disabled veteran Natalie Kastner almost died trying to castrate herself with scissors and a knife. Natalie Kastner/Facebook
Kastner, a parent of three, took the drastic step in March 2022 when she couldn’t afford the $60,000 she was quoted for surgery.
He instead attempted a self-orchiectomy – or testicle removal surgery – with a knife and scissors in the bathroom, nearly dying after hitting an artery.
“I didn’t go into that bathroom to kill myself,” Kastner said. “I went to the bathroom to fix myself.
“I can only imagine how many others have done the same thing and not been so lucky, and just listed as suicide.”
Kastner tried to get private insurance but was not told in Texas that it covers gender confirmation surgery.
“This surgery is truly life-saving care,” Kastner told NBC News. “The VA, they say they serve those who have served, and those words seem hollow now.”
The veterans group first pushed for the department to pay for gender reassignment surgeries in May 2016. In 2021, McDonough announced that the VA was “taking the first necessary steps to expand VA care to include gender confirmation surgery.”
Association president Rebekka Eshler said the group is “tired of empty promises.” Frontier University of Nursing
McDonough noted that the process will take about two years.
The transgender group’s president, Rebekka Eshler, said the suit was filed in Washington, DC on Thursday because affected veterans can no longer hold out hope for help.
“Transgender veterans have waited too long for the VA to provide gender-affirming surgery that many of us will have to endure,” Eshler said in a statement.
“We are tired of empty promises; we need care.”
The court on Thursday ordered the VA to respond within 14 days.
Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Denis McDonough has vowed to offer gender-affirming procedures at VA hospitals by 2021. Stephen Lovekin/Shutterstock Sex-change procedures can cost between $50,000 and $130,000, according to a federal lawsuit. Universal Image Group via Getty Images
The Department of Veterans Affairs declined to comment on pending litigation.
But Press Secretary Terrence Hayes said the department aims “to provide transgender Veterans — and all Veterans — with the world-class care and benefits they deserve.
“We thank each of these heroes for their service and sacrifice, and we will continue to work to serve them as they have served our country.”
With Postal wire.
Categories: Trending
Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
