WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Department of Defense will restart gender-affirming medical treatments for service members and their dependents, reversing a key policy under the Trump administration that aimed to restrict transgender individuals from serving openly in the military.
A memo dated Monday and made public Thursday outlines the changes, which include the reinstatement of surgical procedures and hormone therapy for those diagnosed with gender dysphoria.
Politico was the first to report on the development.
“Service members and all other covered beneficiaries 19 years of age or older may receive appropriate care for their diagnosis of [gender dysphoria], including mental health care and counseling and newly initiated or ongoing cross-sex hormone therapy,” the memo reads. “Service members may also receive voice therapy and appropriate surgical procedures.”
The memo was signed by Stephen Ferrara, acting assistant secretary of Defense for health affairs.
This policy shift follows rulings by two federal judges who blocked enforcement of the Pentagon’s transgender service ban last month.
A third ruling issued a temporary block against separating two transgender Air Force personnel.
In the memo, Ferrara noted that the department is reverting to the previous policy adopted under the Biden administration due to the court decisions.
As a result, troops can now access gender-affirming care through military medical treatment facilities or the Supplemental Health Care Program (SHCP), which also allows them to seek care from civilian providers.
Waivers through the SHCP that had been paused or canceled are now reinstated.
The change marks a setback for Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who has emphasized returning the military’s focus to traditional warfighting and has been vocal on cultural issues within the armed forces.
