VA plans to offer abortion services to certain veterans and beneficiaries
“We came to this decision after listening to VA health care providers and Veterans across the country, who sounded the alarm that abortion restrictions are creating a medical emergency for those we serve,” Shereef Elnahal, under secretary for health at the VA, said in a release. “Offering this care will save Veterans’ health and lives, and there is nothing more important than that.”
The context: The move comes after 25 senators in the Democratic caucus pushed the agency to make regulatory changes to enable it to offer abortion care. As it stands, Congress’ Hyde Amendment restricts federal funding of abortions for active military members, and a 1992 law prohibits abortion care for military veterans or retirees.
Democratic senators, including Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, Mazie Hirono of Hawaii and Patty Murray of Washington, have argued that the agency has the authority to offer abortion care under the Veterans’ Health Care Eligibility Reform Act of 1996.
The move may face potential legal challenges. Republicans have pushed back, saying the VA would violate the 1992 law that bars it from offering abortions if it proceeds with the rule.
The VA argued in the rule that the 1992 law doesn’t prevent it from updating the scope of “needed” medical care to include abortions.
Democrats have lobbied the Biden administration to expand access to abortion following the June Supreme Court decision that permitted states to ban the procedure, including providing abortions on federal lands.
