1. United States
2. Wash.
3. Letter

I am writing as a veteran and constituent to express concern over recently uncovered changes to Veterans Affairs (VA) hospital bylaws, which now permit VA staff—doctors, psychologists, nurse practitioners, social workers, and others—to refuse care or employment based on political affiliation, marital status, union activity, or other personal characteristics not protected under federal law. A June 16, 2025 Guardian investigation revealed that bylaws at multiple VA medical centers were quietly amended to remove protections for political beliefs, marital status, national origin, and union membership . These revisions followed a January 2025 Trump executive order focused on gender policy, but extend well beyond that scope . Experts have called the changes “extremely disturbing and unethical,” warning they could permit denial of care based on anything not federally protected—such as political views or substance use history . The VA press secretary confirmed the changes were made to align with federal law, though no specific legal mandate was cited . These policy alterations undermine veterans’ trust and the traditional mission of the VA to provide equitable, non-biased care. I ask you to take the following steps: 1. Engage the VA Inspector General or Government Accountability Office to review these bylaw changes and assess their impact. 2. Support legislation to explicitly protect veterans within the VA from discrimination based on political affiliation, marital status, union membership, and national origin. 3. Urge the VA to publicly recommit to providing unbiased care to all veterans, with clear policies prohibiting care denials on these bases. Veterans deserve dignity, equity, and trust. Please help restore the integrity of the VA healthcare system.