[Newmax] The Department of Defense has confirmed in recent memos that sex reassignment surgery could be provided free of cost as part of the military’s medical benefits package following President Joe Biden’s Jan. 25 executive order."America is stronger, at home and around the world, when it is inclusive. The military is no exception," the White House said in a press release announcing the order.
"This means no one will be separated or discharged, or denied reenlistment, solely on the basis of gender identity," the release continued. "Prospective recruits may serve in their self-identified gender when they have met the appropriate standards for accession into the military services."
"This revised policy will also ensure all medically necessary transitionrelated care authorized by law is available to all Service members," wrote Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin in a memo obtained by the Washington Examiner.
Veterans Affairs Secretary Denis McDonough said the military would "perform an assessment of the necessary steps to eliminate the exclusion of 'gender alteration' (gender affirmation surgery) in the medical benefits package."
He wrote last month, in a memo ordering a review of the department’s policies and practices, that "Every person at VA, whether a customer or member of VA’s workforce, should be treated with respect and dignity. Our success as a team — our ability to deliver world-class care for our veterans — depends on our respect for our fellow VA employees and the veterans we serve and is critical to everything we do."
