MMAA urges the Senate to remove anti-LGBTQ+ healthcare amendments from the NDAA
We are extremely disappointed that the Senate has included amendments that target service members and their families by limiting their access to medical care. Transgender service members have openly served this country honorably for nearly a decade. Eliminating service members' medical care dishonors their service and breaks the promise our nation made to care for and support those who courageously defend our freedoms.
The proposed NDAA prohibits essential medical treatments which undermine the established standards of care recommended by major medical associations, including the American Medical Association (AMA), the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), the Endocrine Society, and the World Medical Association (WMA). These organizations recognize that affirming medical care, including hormone therapy and puberty blockers, is crucial for the mental and physical health of transgender people.
The specifics of medical care should remain in the hands of medical professionals and their patients. Transgender service members and LGBTQ+ military dependents deserve unwavering access to affirming, safe, and inclusive health care. Transgender service members represent 1% of active-duty personnel with 15,500+ transgender people serving honorably. Creating a discriminatory ban on "sex change surgeries" opens many types of medically necessary surgery to a potential ban.
Military families already face unique challenges and denying LGBTQ+ children access to essential medical care only adds to their burdens. Furthermore, puberty blockers do not affect fertility, and when stopped, puberty resumes.
Many military families with LGBTQ+ children already struggle to access essential healthcare services due to statewide healthcare bans. By denying coverage for medically necessary interventions, legislators are stripping away the right of transgender youth to receive comprehensive and affirming healthcare. This legislative move will likely lead to increased rates of depression, anxiety, and suicide among transgender minors, as well as exacerbate feelings of isolation and rejection. Studies have consistently shown that access to gender-affirming care significantly improves the mental health outcomes of transgender youth, reducing the risk of severe psychological distress.
It is imperative that Congress supports all LGBTQ+ service members and dependents by ensuring they have access to the necessary healthcare services that promote their overall well-being. If service members and their families lose access to comprehensive medically necessary care, it will exacerbate the current readiness, retention, and recruitment issues in the armed forces. Already, military families with transgender youth are choosing to leave service rather than force their dependents to live without medically necessary care.
We urge lawmakers to remove these amendments from the NDAA and recognize the critical importance of gender-affirming care for transgender individuals. Protecting the health and rights of LGBTQ+ individuals, including young people, should be a priority. Denying necessary medical treatments is not only discriminatory but also poses a direct threat to the lives and futures of transgender people.
Modern Military is the nation's largest organization of LGBTQ+ service members, military spouses, veterans, their families, and allies. Modern Military educates, advocates, and champions for the rights and well-being of LGBTQ+ service members, veterans, and their families as well as people living with HIV. We envision an inclusive and equitable military environment where every member of the LGBTQ+ and HIV-positive community is respected, valued, and empowered to thrive.