What Transgender People Serving in the Military Actually Would Cost

President Donald Trump may have tweeted Wednesday morning about "the tremendous medical costs and disruption that transgender in the military would entail," but data suggest the actual cost isn't so significant – and that military spending on erectile dysfunction medications costs much more.

A 2016 study commissioned by the Defense Department from RAND Corp. found health care costs for gender transition-related health care coverage would increase costs by $2.4 million to $8.4 million each year. But this is just a 0.04 to 0.13-percent increase in health care expenses.

Several reports have also noted a New England Journal of Medicine study from 2015 that came to similar cost estimate conclusions. The study author called the annual cost to the Pentagon – between $4.2 million and $5.6 million – "little more than a rounding error in the military's $47.8 billion annual health care budget."

The Washington Post pointed to a Military Times analysis which said the military spends $84 million on erectile dysfunction medications each year – with $41.6 million on just Viagra.

Statistics vary on how many transgender people are actually in the military, with estimates ranging from 1,320 to 6,630 on active duty to one study claiming it's around 15,500, Business Insider reports.

Defense Secretary Ash Carter removed the ban on transgender people serving in the military last June during President Barack Obama's administration, and current transgender troops could serve openly. Military branches were given a year to work out how they would place these recruits into active
service. Current Defense Secretary Jim Mattis last month halted the move letting transgender recruits enlist for six more months.

Trump's announcement prompted both critical and laudatory responses on social media. Criticism from politicians came from both sides of the aisle.

This June 2016 tweet from the president has resurfaced in the wake of Wednesday's announcement: "Thank you to the LGBT community! I will fight for you while Hillary brings in more people that will threaten your freedoms and beliefs."