Alicia Abelson
WMAL.com
WASHINGTON — (WMAL) The Department of Defence expanded coverage of military health insurance to now cover services like hormone therapy and supportive counseling.
Assistance applies to retirees and children of active-duty personnel, bringing coverage to about seven million people.The change in health insurance follows a decision made by the Department of Defence in June to allow transgender members to serve openly in the military.
The new policy has received backlash from transgender advocates because it does not cover gender-reassignment surgery for retirees or dependents, only active-duty personnel. Conservative groups are also critical of the policy and say that the move is to expensive and lacks military purpose.
The policies will be put into effect in stages over the next 12-months.
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