An advocacy group for transgender veterans is suing the Department of Veterans Affairs for failing to cover gender-transition surgeries as promised by agency officials.
The Transgender American Veterans Association (TAVA) filed the suit Thursday in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit in Washington.
"Enough is enough," TAVA President Rebekka Eshler told NBC News on Wednesday. "How can I stand here and keep saying, 'Just be patient,' and not do anything when these veterans are reaching out because they're at death's door? They can't handle it anymore. This is about building this trust back with the VA. They keep using us for political gain, but not keeping their word and keeping their promise."
VA Secretary Denis McDonough in June 2021 announced that the VA would move to offer gender-transition surgery for trans veterans.
The department has yet to publish regulations allowing it.
McDonough in June 2023 said the holdup was with him, telling Military.com that he was "not yet ready" to roll out the rule under the federal regulatory process.
"When I make the decision, it will be my job to defend it, and so I want to be in the best position to do that," McDonough said during a press conference with reporters in Washington, D.C.
A spokesperson for the VA said it does not comment on ongoing litigation.
Solange Reyner ✉
Solange Reyner is a writer and editor for Newsmax. She has more than 15 years in the journalism industry reporting and covering news, sports and politics.
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