Veterans Say: Dept of Veterans Affairs New Guidelines are Unethical and Dangerous
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Common Defense, a national organization of veterans and military families, is deeply alarmed by recent changes to Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) hospital guidelines that allow medical staff to refuse treatment to veterans based on personal characteristics such as marital status or political affiliation. These changes, reported by The Guardian and enacted following President Trump’s January 30, 2025, executive order, undermine the VA’s sacred obligation to provide equitable, high-quality care to all who have served.
In response to this concerning report, Executive Director Jose Vasquez had this to say:
“Stripping discrimination protections against will, without a doubt, denies veterans access to the care they have earned. Reports that these changes were made without consulting VA medical staff further erode trust in the system and in this administration’s ability to prioritize veterans. We fought for a country where care is given to anyone, free from personal or political bias. No one should face discrimination for their beliefs, identity, or reasons for seeking care, whether related to military sexual trauma or other sensitive issues.
“We urge the administration to reverse these harmful changes and restore protections that uphold the VA’s mission to serve those who have fought for our country. Additionally, we demand transparency and adherence to Joint Commission standards, including meaningful consultation with medical staff on future policy changes.
“Common Defense stands with the American Medical Association and medical experts and strongly condemns these unethical, anti-veteran changes.. We call on our elected leaders, VA officials, and the public to join us in protecting veterans’ rights and access to care.”
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Common Defense Civic Engagement is a grassroots, veteran-led organization (501c4) that was founded in 2016. We empower veterans to stand up for our communities against the rising tide of racism, hate, and violence, to organize against the entrenched powers that have rigged our economy, and to champion an equitable and representative democracy, where “liberty and justice” truly is for all. For too long, politicians from both political parties have attempted to use veterans as unwilling political props, and Common Defense serves as a home for veterans to organize and speak for themselves and support the candidates who truly share our values.