The Trump administration is firing back at allegations that new Department of Veterans Affairs hospitals could deny healthcare to veterans based on factors like marital status or political affiliation. The dispute centers around the implementation of a recent executive order and has sparked heated denials from White House officials.
According to The Hill, the controversy erupted after The Guardian published a report claiming VA hospitals were implementing new rules that would permit workers to refuse care to veterans based on characteristics not protected under federal law. This alleged policy change reportedly stems from President Trump's executive order signed on the first day of his second term.
The January executive order, titled "Defending Women from Gender Ideology Extremism and Restoring Biological Truth to the Federal Government," directed the federal government to recognize only two biological sexes. The Guardian's report suggested this directive was being interpreted broadly at VA facilities.
White House deputy press secretary Anna Kelly forcefully rejected The Guardian's reporting on social media platform X. Her response didn't mince words about the publication's allegations regarding veteran care.
"Aaron, this is a totally FALSE story that The Guardian should retract immediately. Fearmongering with our Veterans to try to score clicks for your failing 'news outlet' is pathetic and shameful," Kelly wrote, addressing the article's writer directly.
The Department of Veterans Affairs also quickly issued its own denial of X, stating: "This story is disinformation. All eligible Veterans will always be welcome at VA and will always receive the benefits and services they've earned under the law."
The Guardian's reporting indicated it had obtained documents showing medical staff could potentially be barred from working at VA hospitals based on their marital status, political party affiliation, or union activity. The publication claimed these changes were connected to Trump's executive order.
VA press secretary Peter Kasperowicz, identified as a former politics editor at Fox News Digital, reportedly did not explicitly deny these allegations when contacted by The Guardian. This initial response may have contributed to the confusion surrounding the story.
The extent of actual bylaw changes remains unclear. Veterans' advocacy organizations are working to determine how widespread any policy modifications might be and their potential impact on care.
Kyleanne Hunter, CEO of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America provided context about the situation at VA facilities. She noted the department has historically maintained "very expansive" antidiscrimination policies that extended beyond federally protected classes.
Hunter acknowledged that in response to Trump's executive order, some hospital bylaws have "shrunk" to only encompass federally protected classes like race, religion, and sex. However, she emphasized an important distinction about the current situation.
"There are over 140 different VA medical centers as hospitals that each have their own set of bylaws that exist. So we don't know how many different hospitals this has actually been changed at," Hunter told The Hill, indicating the need for more information before drawing conclusions.
The controversy has placed VA healthcare providers in a difficult position as they attempt to navigate changing policies while maintaining quality care for veterans. The dispute highlights ongoing tensions over federal policy implementation.
VA employees have expressed concerns to veterans' advocates about the impact of the controversy on staff morale. Many healthcare providers remain committed to serving all veterans regardless of policy changes.
Hunter lamented that VA employees are being caught in the crosshairs of this dispute while trying to provide essential care. "The VA employees that we have talked to and connected with are personally very, very committed to continue to serve all veterans," she noted.
