Veterans Affairs to Offer Abortions, a Move Some Say Is Illegal

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) on Sept. 2 announced plans to offer abortions, despite warnings that such a move would be illegal.

The VA’s interim final rule lets the department provide abortion counseling and abortions to pregnant veterans and beneficiaries.

The abortions will be available when “the life or the health of the pregnant veteran would be endangered if the pregnancy were carried to term” or the pregnancy resulted from rape or incest, according to the rule.

A pregnant veteran saying that rape or incest occurred is sufficient evidence that it did, according to the rule.

Dr. Shereef Elnahal, the VA’s undersecretary for health, said that the change brings the VA in alignment with “generally accepted standards of medical practice” and that the updated policy came about due to input from VA healthcare providers and veterans “who sounded the alarm that abortion restrictions are creating a medical emergency for those we serve.”

The abortions may be done even if they violate restrictions in a state, the VA said.

Senators Called for Move

Twenty-seven Democrat senators in July called for the VA to offer abortions, following the U.S. Supreme Court’s striking down of Roe v. Wade.

“This decision makes it even more critical that veterans receive access to the reproductive care to which they are entitled. Thus, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) must urgently begin rulemaking to allow veterans and eligible dependents to receive abortions and all abortion-related services,” the senators wrote in a letter to VA Secretary Denis McDonough, a Biden appointee.

Sen. Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), one of the signatories, welcomed the new update.

“This is an important first step. The VA must go further and provide these services to all veterans, regardless of circumstances,” she said in a statement on Sept. 2.

Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), who also

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