Story perspectives

VA Dismantles LGBTQ+ Veteran Care Coordinator Program, Staff Outraged

7/23/2026

Summary

Story summary

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs began dismantling its LGBTQ+ Veteran Care Coordinator program and converting them to Care Coordinators in a July 22 email.
Acting assistant under secretary for Health Mark A. Koeniger issued a June 12 memorandum ordering the end of calls, orientations and the LGBTQ+ community of practice.
An anonymous VA provider said staff felt “shock, anger, and betrayal” and called it “moral injury on top of moral injury.”

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Story summary

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs began dismantling its LGBTQ+ Veteran Care Coordinator program and converting them to Care Coordinators in a July 22 email.
Acting assistant under secretary for Health Mark A. Koeniger issued a June 12 memorandum ordering the end of calls, orientations and the LGBTQ+ community of practice.
An anonymous VA provider said staff felt “shock, anger, and betrayal” and called it “moral injury on top of moral injury.”