Pentagon proposes covering hormone therapy for transgender troops
By Jacqueline Klimas (@jacqklimas) • 2/1/16 3:40 PM •Updated: 02/01/16 6:50 PM
The Pentagon announced Monday that it intends to pay for hormone treatment for transgender troops.
The change was one of several proposed in a package of reforms.
Written public comments about this proposed new rule can be made in the Federal Register until April 1.
Tricare coverage for gender dysphoria treatments would be available to troops, their family members and retirees, including psychotherapy and hormone replacement therapy.
"This rulemaking proposes to remove the categorical exclusion on treatment of gender dysphoria. This proposed change will permit coverage of all non-surgical medically necessary and appropriate care in the treatment of gender dysphoria, consistent with the program requirements applicable for treatment of all mental or physical illnesses," the summary says.
Tricare beneficiaries would still have to pay out of their own pocket for gender-related surgery, the rule says.
The Pentagon is expected to decide this spring whether it will lift its ban on transgender service members. Despite the ban, advocacy groups estimate more than 15,000 transgender troops are serving.
Advocates for transgender troops celebrated the proposed rule as an encouraging sign.
"All service members, veterans, and military dependents, no matter their gender identity, deserve access to the medical care they've earned serving our great nation," Ashley Broadway-Mack, president of the American Military Partner Association, said in a statement. "This proposed rule change from the Department of Defense would be an incredibly important step in the right direction to help ensure our transgender service members, veterans, and family members finally receive the crucial medical care they need."
But Air Force Maj. Ben Sakrisson, a Defense Department spokesman, told the Military Times last week that the proposed rule change does not indicate that Defense Secretary Ash Carter is intending to lift the ban.
"This rule being put up for public comment is in no way related to a decision by the secretary to allow transgender troops to serve openly," Sakrisson said. "It is simply an attempt to align Tricare benefits with the Mental Health Parity Act and other existing legislation."
The proposed rule would also make other changes, including eliminating annual limits for inpatient mental health treatment, as well as getting rid of limitations on how many therapy sessions a service member can have for substance abuse per benefit period.
"These changes intend to reduce administrative barriers to treatment and increase access to medically or psychologically necessary mental health care consistent with TRICARE statutory authority," the rule states.
http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/pentagon-proposes-covering-hormone-therapy-for-transgender-troops/article/2582089
