Commanders and Comrades,
Working with our Washington Office and the Veterans Administration to address the article put out by the Guardian stating the VA can deny care or fire employees for political or union affiliations.
We read the article and believe that it is wildly speculative because that would violate other laws and frankly never survive in the courts under the First Amendment.
We verified with the VA, and they confirmed our thoughts that "Federal law prohibits that.”
Please see the VA’s position on the Guardian article published on 6.16.2025
https://x.com/SecVetAffairs/
https://x.com/DeptVetAffairs/
VA recently updated its medical center bylaws to ensure compliance with White House executive orders, such as the order onDefending Women From Gender Ideology Extremism And Restoring Biological Truth To The Federal Government.
These updates will have no impact whatsoever on who VA treats or who works at VA.
The fact that the Guardian is trying to misrepresent these changes as anything more than a formality underscores its extreme liberal bias and steadfast commitment to spreading disinformation.
Guardian Allegation: "Doctors at Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) hospitals nationwide could refuse to treat unmarried veterans and Democrats under new hospital guidelines imposed following an executive order by Donald Trump.”
Response: False. Federal law prohibits that, and VA will always follow federal law. All eligible Veterans will always be welcome at VA and will always receive the benefits and services they’ve earned under the law.
Guardian Allegation: "But individual workers are now free to decline to care for patients based on personal characteristics not explicitly prohibited by federal law.”
Response: False. Federal law prohibits that, and VA will always follow federal law.
Guardian Allegation: "Doctors and other medical staff can also be barred from working at VA hospitals based on their marital status, political party affiliation or union activity, documents reviewed by the Guardian show.”
Response:False. Federal law prohibits that, and VA will always follow federal law.
Guardian Allegation: Similarly, the bylaw on "decisions regarding medical staff membership” no longer forbids VA hospitals from discriminating against candidates for staff positions based on national origin, sexual orientation, marital status, membership in a labor organization or "lawful political party affiliation”.
Response:False.Federal law prohibits that, and VA will always follow federal law.
Guardian Allegation: "Under the new policy, some may have to register at a hospital in another region and travel more than a hundred miles to see a doctor.”
Response:False. Federal law prohibits that, and VA will always follow federal law. All eligible Veterans will always be welcome at VA and will always receive the benefits and services they’ve earned under the law.
If you have any questions, please let us know.
You are encouraged to share this email as well.
Dan West
Adjutant General
Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States
406 W. 34th Street
Kansas City, Missouri 64111
816.968.1110
Join atwww.vfw.org/join/eligibility