Veteran Healthcare Administration to set the example for TG treatment and care.

[JavaJunkie]

I'm sure as part of the military's effort to extend equal rights to the LGBT community the Veteran Healthcare Administration (VA hospitals) are now guaranteeing fair and nondiscriminatory treatment for all Transgender veterans.

http://transequality.org/PDFs/VHA_Trans_Health.pdf

Personally I think it's about friggin time they extended care to us. *looks up the address to her local VA hospital*......free horomones? Check! free psychiatric care? Check! Haha now what girl doesn't like free stuff? The only thing not covered by the VA is SRS but that's what we have Thailand for right? So all you girls out there who've served your country and would like treatment for Gender Dysphoria, put those heels on, and head on out to your nearest VA treatment center! :battingeyelashes:

[TerryTerri]

I got my letter from the VA today saying I am a group 8, high income veteran and not eligible VA benefits because I make too much money. Kick in the pants if you ask me! I served for 10 years and can get no help from them.
It sure would have been helpful if I could have gotten the VA to simply give me the regular estrogen and testosterone level blood tests. With $1330 a month child support and spousal maintenance, I'm the poorest 'rich' person I know!

[docrobbysherry]

I got my letter from the VA today saying I am a group 8, high income veteran and not eligible VA benefits because I make too much money. Kick in the pants if you ask me! I served for 10 years and can get no help from them.
It sure would have been helpful if I could have gotten the VA to simply give me the regular estrogen and testosterone level blood tests. With $1330 a month child support and spousal maintenance, I'm the poorest 'rich' person I know!

If u were in a service during one of the wars or hot "conflicts" as I was, you're covered! Altho as Terri says, it's NOT free to everyone! They have a means test to see how much u pay. I'm in that high category, too. My recent derm visit, where they check me out and freeze off my skin pre-cancers, was $50.

[lynn_lynn]

I had to quit going to the VA. they were killing me.. I now go somewhere that specializes in transgender care..

[JavaJunkie]

Lynn these changes just went into effect last month. I've heard plenty of horror stories about how the VA used to be but seeing as how i'm nowhere near a class 8.....I wonder if there's a Class 0 lol....this girl needs a job! Lol but really, I would say give it a month or two for specialists to be brought in, or existing psychologists to get more experience dealing with a type of patient i'm sure they never really had to cater to working for the VA.

[Phyliss]

The nearest VA Hospital to me is about 70 mile away.
I go to a local facility that works with the "retiree" population locally. The staff in the pharmacy has been super and understanding. The problem I note occasionally is the customer base. The "older" veterans are just not gonna sit through a "diversity training" class. I've gotten a few of the "looks" from some of them.
Hold my head up and go about my business, they don't work there nor dispense my scripts.

[BOBBI G.]

Good old Federal Gov't. They ask, and in some instances, told use to give up some of our life for the country and they would take care of us later. I've been trying for 7 years to sign up and the story I get is all monies that would have gone to new sign ups is being diverted to the the areas of the world where we shouldn't be, anyway. I decided a few years ago that I can take better care of myself than they could, because they don't give a s--- .
Very disappointed in our gov't. Nothing but broken promises, typical.

Bobbi

[Melody Moore]

US Department of Defence has been reviewing it's policies to allow transgendered
members to serve after Australian Defence Forces changed their policies (http://www.crikey.com.au/2010/09/15/let-them-serve-defence-drops-ban-on-transgender-soldiers/) on this.

http://www.defence.gov.au/fr/RR/diversity.htm

Also See: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sexual_orientation_and_military_service

So this is good news for equal opportunities for transgendered military personnel.

[Diane Elizabeth]

I go thru the VA for my HRT and counseling. The counselor I see doesn't know much about TG but is willing to work with me. Thats better than the shrink that didn't want to hear about my TG issues ten yrs ago. I also go to the Womens Clinic for my appts. Its a start. I have been stared at a few times as I usually go mixed dress sometimes with forms.

What is all this testing about for catagory 8. I never was tested. I pay as much as $50 a visit. And $9 per prescription.

[JavaJunkie]

They "say" they're going to consider letting TG people serve but the reality was they had to be dragged kicking and screaming by the public/Obama administration to let LGB people serve openly. It will be years and years if ever before they accept openly TG people in their ranks.

[JulieK1980]

If u were in a service during one of the wars or hot "conflicts" as I was, you're covered! Altho as Terri says, it's NOT free to everyone! They have a means test to see how much u pay. I'm in that high category, too. My recent derm visit, where they check me out and freeze off my skin pre-cancers, was $50.

Sadly this is no longer true. I'm a "combat" veteran from the Iraq war, and unfortunately we only get the full health coverage for the first 5 years. After that it's only "service connected" disabilities they will care for. You currently have to retire from the service to receive the full benefits from the VA.

[TerryTerri]

Even though I spent 10 years in, it ended up being not during a conflict, nor did I participate in any official campaigns that happened during that time. I served from 1979 through 1988. Hell, I don't even get a 5 points veterans preference for federal employment, which I think unjust, but that's off topic.
So, I'm excluded. :o(

[Lauren415]

I just applied for my VA benefits. I will let you all know how it goes for the HRT.

[Debb]

I think I'll look into this. I have a 10% disability from that time 20 years ago when I collided with a tree during a night jump, but have never gone to the VA hospital since I got out.

I've been out 19 years now, and have used nothing but private health care. Maybe this is an indication that I should get into counseling.

edit: application done. Things don't look good, I earn too much for "free" .. maybe they'll help me and just have me make copays.

[JenniferZ2009]

I go to the VA for everything. Had to take the means test since I have been out for almost 6 years. I dont have a job though so I got classified as a hardship due to my low income (living off GI Bill). I only have to pay for meds for a year everything else is free. I get my HRT, therapy and just got my orchi from them.

[Diane Elizabeth]

I am going in to the VA for my 1 yr check up on HRT. I hope I can talk them into giving me an orchi so I can get off the spiro. Also waiting for the outsource people to call and sched me for my 1st mamagram. I was surprised to hear that the VA doesn't do it themselves.