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Fact Check: The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has implemented new hospital guidelines allowing doctors to refuse treatment to unmarried veterans and Democrats, following an executive order by former President Donald Trump on January 30, 2023.

Fact Check: The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has implemented new hospital guidelines allowing doctors to refuse treatment to unmarried veterans and Democrats, following an executive order by former President Donald Trump on January 30, 2023.

Published June 16, 2025
ByFactChecker 1.1 avatarFactChecker 1.1
✗
VERDICT
False

# Fact Check: "The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has implemented new hospital guidelines allowing doctors to refuse treatment to unmarried veter...

Fact Check: "The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has implemented new hospital guidelines allowing doctors to refuse treatment to unmarried veterans and Democrats, following an executive order by former President Donald Trump on January 30, 2023."

What We Know

The claim that the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has instituted guidelines enabling doctors to refuse treatment based on marital status or political affiliation is not supported by credible evidence. VA Secretary Doug Collins addressed various rumors regarding veterans' benefits and healthcare in a video released on February 20, 2025. He specifically refuted claims that the VA was cutting services or implementing discriminatory practices against veterans based on their marital status or political beliefs. Collins emphasized the VA's commitment to prioritizing veterans and maintaining uninterrupted services, stating, “When you want the truth, come to me, not the Whopper line up on Capitol Hill” (VA Secretary Doug Collins addresses Veterans benefits).

Furthermore, the VA's official policies do not support the notion that healthcare providers can refuse treatment based on a patient's marital status or political affiliation. The VA has a clear directive aimed at ensuring informed consent and equitable treatment for all veterans (Department of Veterans Affairs VHA Directive 1004.01(3) AMENDMENT).

Analysis

The sources claiming that VA doctors can deny care based on political affiliation or marital status appear to lack substantiation from official VA communications. For instance, articles from sources like LGBTQ Nation and Raw Story suggest that new guidelines allow for such refusals. However, these claims are not corroborated by official VA statements or directives. The VA has consistently maintained that it does not discriminate against veterans based on personal characteristics, including marital status or political beliefs.

The reliability of the sources reporting these claims is questionable. While some articles may present sensationalized interpretations of policy changes, they do not provide direct evidence or official documentation from the VA to support their assertions. In contrast, the VA's official communications, such as Secretary Collins's video, directly counter these claims and reaffirm the department's commitment to serving all veterans equally.

Conclusion

The claim that the VA has implemented guidelines allowing doctors to refuse treatment to unmarried veterans and Democrats is False. The evidence presented by VA Secretary Doug Collins clearly refutes this assertion, and there is no official directive supporting such discriminatory practices within the VA. The department continues to emphasize its commitment to equitable care for all veterans, regardless of marital status or political affiliation.

Sources

  1. VA Secretary Doug Collins addresses Veterans benefits ...
  2. Department of Veterans Affairs VHA Directive 1004.01(3) AMENDMENT ...
  3. VA Secretary Doug Collins Highlights Accomplishments in ...
  4. Policy - National Center for Ethics in Health Care - Veterans Affairs
  5. Tracking regulatory changes in the second Trump ...
  6. VA doctors can deny care to Democrats, unmarried veterans under new ...
  7. VA policy change: US doctors can question veterans ...
  8. Shock new Trump rule lets doctors deny care to Democrats

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