The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is now offering abortions to veterans and other beneficiaries in specific cases, even in states where the procedure is banned, as announced in a federal notice.
The VA has been offering abortions to veterans and has covered dependents on a temporary basis since September 2022. The Biden administration introduced the abortion services in response to the Supreme Court’s overturn of Roe v. Wade, prompting Republican proposals to block them, Military.com reported.
The interim policy has allowed for abortions in cases of rape or incest, or when the pregnancy poses a risk to the individual’s life or health. VA doctors are also permitted to provide abortion counseling to any patient.
The policy, outlined in a rule that was published in the Federal Register on Monday, was finalized without changes for the time being, according to the notice posted on the Federal Register’s website on Friday.
Although the VA’s abortion policy is fully set in regulation, congressional Republicans are expected to persist in their efforts to roll it back.
Opposition to the policy was evident in public comments, with concerns raised about the VA’s legal authority to provide abortions and the broad language of the policy potentially allowing abortions in any circumstance.
In response, the VA rejected proposed changes, reiterating its authority under a 1996 law that empowers the department to cover healthcare deemed “needed” by the VA secretary.
The Susan B. Anthony List, now SBA Pro-Life America, had warned of this development last year.
In addition to the abortion policy, the Nebraska Examiner reported that the VA announced expanded access to in vitro fertilization (IVF) on Monday, allowing eligible unmarried veterans and those in same-sex marriages to access IVF at VA health care facilities.
VA Secretary Denis McDonough expressed pride in the expansion of care, stating, “raising a family is a wonderful thing, and I’m proud that VA will soon help more Veterans have that opportunity.”
The move, following two lawsuits filed against the VA last year, addresses concerns of discrimination against LGBTQ+ veterans in the department’s IVF policies, The Liberal Washington Post noted.
Democrats are also pushing the Veteran Families Health Services Act, a bill, per The Nebraska Examiner, that would in part “allow the VA to permanently expand which veterans have access to IVF,” as well as “provide the option for military members to freeze their eggs or sperm before deployment to combat zones or hazardous duty assignments.”
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Author: Jordyn M.
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