New pointers carried out below an govt order by President Donald Trump now enable VA hospital workers to refuse healthcare to veterans primarily based on political affiliation and marital standing, prompting considerations that Democratic and single veterans could also be denied remedy.
On January 30, Trump signed an govt order titled “Defending Girls from Gender Ideology Extremism and Restoring Organic Fact to the Federal Authorities.” Whereas its major intention was to curtail federal protections for transgender people, the order additionally triggered sweeping adjustments throughout the Division of Veterans Affairs (VA), in line with the Guardian.
The VA, which serves over 9 million veterans throughout greater than 170 hospitals and 1,000 clinics, revised its inside bylaws to strip longstanding protections in opposition to discrimination primarily based on political celebration, marital standing, sexual orientation and nationwide origin.
The up to date insurance policies enable docs, psychologists, dentists and different healthcare staff at VA hospitals to refuse remedy to veterans primarily based on traits not explicitly protected by federal legislation. Whereas veterans are nonetheless legally entitled to care, there’s now no rule stopping workers from declining service to people primarily based on their political views or whether or not they’re single.
Inside paperwork reviewed by the outlet verify that the adjustments are already in impact at some VA facilities. The VA’s press secretary confirmed the revisions have been made to align with Trump’s govt order however didn’t make clear what federal legislation required such shifts.
The brand new guidelines have drawn sharp criticism from medical specialists and ethics professionals. Dr. Kenneth Kizer, the VA’s high well being official, warned the coverage may enable suppliers to disclaim care to sufferers primarily based on rape allegations, political exercise or substance use. Dr. Arthur Caplan of NYU’s Grossman College of Medication referred to as the adjustments “unethical” and “an effort to exert political management over the VA medical workers.”
Initially revealed on Latin Instances
