ICYMI: Trump Administration Covertly Bans Abortion Care for Veterans – Even in Cases of Rape and Incest
460,000 women veterans will lose access to abortion care, as Trump administration continues push towards national abortion ban.
WASHINGTON, DC –– Over the holidays, while most Americans were distracted, the Trump administration covertly banned abortion care for women veterans at Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) medical facilities, rolling back the Biden-era protections. The policy first announced last August, and enacted December 22 right ahead of the holidays, blocks access to abortion care and counseling through the VA, even in cases of rape, incest, or medical emergencies. The Trump administration knows that attacks on abortion are widely unpopular, and it is no coincidence that they moved to ban abortion across the VA when few Americans were paying attention.
Veterans, patient advocates, and lawmakers have warned of the sweeping harm the ban will have on veterans and their families. This week, Senate Democrats introduced a Congressional Review Act resolution to overturn the ban. At a Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee hearing, Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) blasted the administration while questioning VA Secretary Doug Collins.
“In late December, not long ago, the Trump administration quietly implemented a near-total abortion ban at the VA,” said Senator Patty Murray. “VA’s final rule prevents the more than 460,000 women veterans of reproductive age — over half of whom live in states with abortion bans — from receiving abortion care at the VA now. VA providers aren’t even allowed to discuss abortion as an option with veteran patients.”
“I just want everyone to know, under this VA Final Rule — no exceptions for rape or incest. And I find that outrageous.”
Veronica Ingham, Managing Director of Free & Just, Veronica Ingham released the following statement:
“Women in uniform deserve our utmost respect for protecting and serving this country. This latest ban demonstrates what we have always known — that the Trump administration is pushing for a national abortion ban and using veterans as their guinea pigs to do it,” said Veronica Ingham, Senior Campaigns Director for Free & Just. “Trump and anti-abortion extremists are hoping we won’t notice all that they are doing to turn back the clock on our rights. They have no regard for the women who defended this country, and they acted to ban abortion for veterans when no one was watching because they did not want backlash from the American public, who overwhelmingly support reproductive freedom.”
Under Trump, extremists are more emboldened than ever and are launching new attacks on our freedoms. The Trump administration is pulling every lever at their disposal to ban abortion nationwide — even in states where it is legally protected.
From weaponizing federal agencies to roll back access to medication abortion, to sneaking new national abortion restrictions into critical health care legislation and undermining federal protections for lifesaving care, the consequences of attacks on reproductive freedom are deadly and will impact everyone.
If you are interested in speaking to storytellers about the impacts of the administration's attacks on abortion care for veterans, please contact Malachi White, malachi@freeandjust.us.
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Free & Just is fighting to stop attacks on reproductive freedom and rights. We’re working with people across the country to share real stories to show the devastating consequences of attacks on our reproductive freedom. We all deserve the right to control our bodies and lives. That’s why we’re sharing our stories, raising our voices, and fighting for our future.