After the issuance of an executive order by President Trump limiting gender recognition to two sexes, turmoil ensued at a Veterans Affairs facility in Virginia. Mary Brinkmeyer, a psychologist and LGBTQ care coordinator at the facility, found herself at odds with the abrupt changes. Hospital leadership mandated the removal of LGBTQ-affirming materials and required patients and staff to use facilities based on their birth sex. Initially, Brinkmeyer was instructed to disband LGBTQ therapy groups, but this decision was later reversed.
The dismantling of her inclusive work took a toll on Brinkmeyer’s well-being, leading her to submit her resignation after three years of service. As she bid farewell to her role, she reflected on the impact of the upheaval on her transgender veteran patients. Despite attempts to seek clarity on the changes, staffers faced conflicting directives and uncertainty about the future of VA services.
The broader implications of the executive order raised concerns among VA employees, many of whom expressed fears of potential repercussions for speaking out. Amidst confusion and shifting messages, staff morale wavered, with a prevailing worry that the upheaval would compromise the care provided to veterans. The constant changes and lack of clear guidance left many questioning the future of VA healthcare services and the organization’s commitment to its mission.
“After enduring the effects of the hiring freeze and the ‘return to work’ policies, VA hospitals have been facing severe staffing shortages, particularly for physicians, nurses, and psychologists, for the past five years as highlighted in a report by the VA’s inspector general in August. Some VA employees are concerned that President Trump’s directives to freeze hiring and end remote work could worsen these shortages.
An HR specialist for the southeast region of the Veterans Health Administration mentioned that her team had a list of 400 individuals who had received job offers, including for roles like registered nurses and radiology technologists. Following the hiring freeze, the team was instructed to rescind all offers, causing distress among candidates. However, later clarification exempted some positions from the freeze, leading to confusion and uncertainty among the team.
The specialist expressed concern that the inconsistency in policies, coupled with lower pay rates at VA positions compared to the private sector, would make it challenging to fill these crucial roles. She emphasized that most people joining the VA do so out of a desire to help veterans rather than for monetary gain.
Sheila Elliott, a pharmacist at the Hampton VA Medical Center, raised concerns about the freeze affecting the opening of a new VA clinic in Chesapeake, Virginia, in April. Job offers for the clinic were revoked, potentially impacting veterans’ care. Some candidates declined offers due to the instability caused by the freeze.
In response to the situation, the department collaborated with the White House and the Office of Personnel Management to exempt over 300,000 essential positions, including health care providers like psychologists and physical therapists, from the freeze. A Texas psychologist involved in supporting understaffed clinics highlighted the challenges faced by their virtual team spread across different states.
The impact of these changes on VA staffing and the care provided to veterans remains a significant concern for employees and healthcare providers.”
The psychologist mentioned that there has been no further communication regarding the decision to end remote work and require employees to return to their workplaces full-time, with exemptions being determined by department and agency heads. She expressed concern as their office no longer exists, and any reduction in staff could lead to longer wait times for veterans seeking mental health care. She also highlighted the potential negative impact on research conducted at the VA, especially for studies involving terminally ill patients. Furthermore, she shared that contract renewals for her team were denied, jeopardizing their ability to continue critical research that could influence future care standards for veterans. The uncertainty surrounding possible funding cuts from the National Institutes of Health was described as a significant threat to their work and the wellbeing of vulnerable patients.
An attack on the LGBTQ community is unfolding within the VA system, leaving many feeling uncertain about their care and identity. Mary Brinkmeyer, a healthcare provider at a VA hospital, noticed swift changes in the hospital’s LGBTQ-related messaging following Trump’s order regarding “gender ideology”. While some hospitals have halted LGBTQ-related training for staff and restricted the use of pronouns in email signatures, patient care remains untouched for now, pending further guidance.
However, the impact of these changes is already being felt by individuals like Lindsay Church, a nonbinary Navy veteran. Church, who uses they/them pronouns, found their VA medical record altered to display only their “birth sex” instead of their gender identity. This shift not only undermines their identity but also raises concerns about the quality of care they will receive moving forward.
As a result, Church and others fear the implications of these policy changes on their everyday experiences within the VA system. The potential consequences, such as being misgendered or facing harassment, have created a sense of apprehension and unease among LGBTQ individuals seeking care.
The situation is particularly distressing for those who have long advocated for the inclusion and support of LGBTQ service members. A social worker with two decades of experience within the VA and military highlighted the stark difference between providing care during the “don’t ask, don’t tell” era and the current systematic attack on LGBTQ rights. The recent policy changes feel like a regression, erasing the progress made in ensuring equitable treatment for LGBTQ individuals.
The recent announcement by VA Secretary Doug Collins further exacerbated concerns, as the new policy prohibits the display of flags other than the U.S. flag in VA facilities. This decision, which rescinds the allowance of the rainbow flag during LGBTQ Pride Month, symbolizes a step backward in recognizing and supporting LGBTQ individuals within the VA system.
Despite these challenges, individuals like Mary Brinkmeyer continue to demonstrate resilience and defiance in the face of adversity. When asked to remove her pride flag magnet, Brinkmeyer initially complied but later reinstated it to show her unwavering support for the LGBTQ community. This act of resistance serves as a beacon of hope amidst a landscape of uncertainty and discrimination within the VA system.
