Department of Defense Orders Halt to Gender Transition Medicine, Procedures

The military will refer patients seeking the procedures to the private sector.

The Pentagon in Arlington, Va., on April 8, 2025. Madalina Vasiliu/The Epoch Times

The U.S. Department of Defense said in a new memorandum that it is halting medical treatments and procedures for troops who identify as transgender and other personnel with gender dysphoria (GD).

“Within the direct care component, meaning at military medical treatment facilities ... Service members and all other covered beneficiaries 19 years of age or older may only receive mental health care and counseling for GD,” Dr. Stephen L. Ferrara, acting assistant secretary of defense for health affairs, said in the memo, which is dated May 9.