VA hospital in Loma Linda, California (Photo: VA Loma Linda Healthcare System)
The VA, under President Donald Trump’s administration, has proposed a rule to eliminate most abortion services currently available to Veterans, including in cases of rape or incest. The proposed policy would preserve abortion access only in a life-threatening situation that requires a physician to certify that the pregnancy would jeopardize the life of the Veteran.
The rule change, filed Friday, would reverse a 2022 policy enacted under President Joe Biden that expanded abortion access at VA facilities. That rule allowed abortions in cases of incest, rape, or when a pregnancy endangered the health or life of the pregnant Veteran or an eligible family member. At the time, the VA argued that increased access was necessary in response to state-level abortion bans following the Supreme Court’s decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, which overturned Roe v. Wade.
According to the VA, the change would reinstate a longstanding interpretation that abortion services are not considered “needed” medical care within the department’s health benefits package. From 1999 to 2022, abortion services and counseling were excluded from the VA’s coverage. The Biden-era change was a departure from that policy and was the first time VA abortion services were permitted in cases of rape or incest.
Supporters of the rollback argue that the previous expansion was an overreach of federal authority. Republican members of the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee issued a joint statement supporting the reversal, asserting that taxpayer funds should not be used for abortion services and that VA care should focus on service-related medical needs.
“We take this action to ensure that VA provides only needed medical services to our nation’s heroes and their families,” the VA stated.
According to VA data, about 100 Veterans receive abortion services through the department each year. There are currently over two million Women Veterans in the U.S., with nearly 300,000 of reproductive age. Critics of the proposed change say it could endanger Veterans’ lives and restrict their access to vital care. Rep. Maxine Dexter (D-Ore.), a former VA physician, called the proposal dangerous and said it breaks the government’s promise to care for Veterans in need. Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.) described the policy as a severe blow to pregnant Veterans, particularly those affected by sexual violence during military service.
Organizations such as Minority Veterans of America and the National Women’s Law Center expressed concern that limiting abortion access will disproportionately affect Veterans who already face barriers to healthcare, including survivors of military sexual trauma and those living in states with strict abortion laws.
According to a notice in the Federal Register, a 30-day public comment period opened Monday on the proposed rule that would impose new limits on abortion services currently allowed under specific conditions at VA hospitals.
Author: Rikki Almanza
Rikki is a Web Content Coordinator for the American Legion, Department of California. With a deep-rooted family connection to the military, Rikki is committed to using her skills and knowledge to provide valuable assistance and resources to servicemembers and veterans.