Department of Veterans Affairs Bans Abortion Provision, Including in Cases of Rape or Incest
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has announced a ban on providing abortion services to veterans, including in cases of rape or incest. This decision follows a Department of Justice (DOJ) memo that concluded the VA is not legally authorized to provide abortions. The VA has stated it will comply immediately with this directive, aligning with its proposed rule.
This move reverses a Biden-era policy that had allowed abortion counseling and procedures for veterans. The administration had already filed paperwork in August to roll back that policy, and related rule-making is ongoing. The VA operates a network of more than 1,300 facilities nationwide, treating nearly 10 million veterans annually.
The policy change takes place amid continuing state-level abortion bans following the Supreme Court's overturning of Roe v. Wade in 2022. As of 2024, over half of female veterans reside in states where abortion bans or likely bans are in effect. Internal memo screenshots circulated on December 22 indicate that the changes would not prohibit abortion care in life-threatening circumstances such as miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy, or situations requiring saving a veteran’s life, although the VA did not provide immediate responses to questions regarding these screenshots.
Democracy Forward obtained and published the memo screenshot, describing the policy change as cruel. This report was first covered by MS Now.
