FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Modern Military Association of America
Email: [email protected]

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Washington, D.C. – On Saturday night, the House of Representatives filed a new version of the FY 2025 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) with a provision banning medically necessary healthcare coverage for transgender adolescents of military service members and retirees. This rider was added at the last moment after lawmakers already negotiated a clean bill, negating months of discussions.

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries pulled his support of the bill due to Sec. 708 which prohibits “coverage under TRICARE program of certain medical procedures for children that could result in sterilization.”

Rep. Adam Smith, D-Wash., the ranking member of the House Armed Services Committee, stated “Blanketly denying health care to people who clearly need it, just because of a biased notion against transgender people, is wrong.”

If passed, TRICARE benefits would be below the standard of all major civilian plans by adding an exclusion not legally admissible under the Affordable Healthcare Act.

Lawmakers are playing politics with the lives of thousands of military families. Despite Minority Leader Jeffries’ principled stance on the updated FY25 NDAA (H.R. 5009), the House Committee on Armed Services released a statement with the support of four major military service organizations that applauds the bill for its “commitment to improving the quality of life for military families.” The statement adds that “this investment in military family well-being will have a lasting impact on our national security.”

It’s disheartening that many organizations decided to express support for this version of the NDAA — one that will ban medically necessary healthcare access for thousands of already-vulnerable military families, impacting their personal and economic well-being. We cannot ignore the hypocrisy of organizations that purport to serve all military families condoning a direct attack on healthcare coverage for service members and their families. The NDAA is no place for culture wars or discrimination.

“We are disappointed to see these organizations turn their backs on LGBTQ+ service members and their families,” said Modern Military Executive Director, Rachel Branaman. “The LGBTQ+ community fights alongside these groups on intersecting issues of importance like women serving in combat, access to reproductive healthcare, and increasing the quality of life for military families. Yet, much like the fight to repeal Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell and repealing the ban on transgender service members, some major military service organizations stay silent when it comes time to support all military families.”

Emily Schilling, president of partner organization SPARTA, which advocates for transgender service members, stated, “The first and most sacred duty of leadership is to care for the well-being of all those entrusted to us. This duty does not allow for exceptions or exclusions. Transgender service members, and military families trying to support their transgender youth, have taken the same oath, faced the same challenges, and made the same sacrifices. It is time for all organizations, especially those claiming to support military personnel, to live up to the values we hold dear and stand with them.”

On December 9th, Modern Military sent members of Congress a letter signed by more than 300 organizations standing in opposition to the passage of H.R. 5009. Now is the time for major military organizations to uphold their values, reflect on their historical commitments to justice and inclusion, and fall in step with the hundreds of organizations working to protect the health and well-being of all military families.

It is time to reject discriminatory policies and stand united for the rights and dignity of all military families — regardless of gender identity. This necessary, safe, and reversible healthcare is deemed medically necessary by every major medical and psychological association in America. It is vital, life-saving care that reduces rates of depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation among transgender adolescents. Healthcare decisions should be made between families, patients, and providers — not politicians.

Learn more here: https://modernmilitary.org/2024/12/ndaamedcoverage2024/#
https://modernmilitary.org/2024/12/press-release-ndaahealthcare2024/

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Modern Military is the nation’s largest organization of LGBTQ+ service members, military spouses, veterans, their families, and allies. We educate, advocate, and champion for the rights and well-being of LGBTQ+ service members, veterans, and their families as well as people living with HIV. We envision an inclusive and equitable military environment where every member of the LGBTQ+ and HIV-positive community is respected, valued, and empowered to thrive.