Source: RAND Corporation
Topic: Mental Health/Health, Research Studies, Social Justice
Population Focus: LGBTQ Military Service Members, Transgender and Gender Nonconforming
The government-commissioned RAND study released in May 2016 determined that the cost of providing transition-related care is exceedingly small relative to U.S. Armed Forces overall health care expenditures; that there are no readiness implications that prevent transgender members from serving openly; and that numerous foreign militaries have successfully permitted open service without a negative effect on effectiveness, readiness, or unit cohesion. Based on that study, the Pentagon lifted the ban on open service by transgender men and women in July 2016. However, in July 2017, President Trump announced the rollback of an Obama-era order allowing transgender individuals to be recruited by and serve in the United States armed forces.