Trump Administration Proposes to Limit Veterans’ Abortion Access

The Trump Administration has proposed a new rule that would significantly restrict abortion access for veterans covered by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Under this proposal, nearly all abortions would be banned at VA hospitals, with exceptions only for situations that threaten the life of the patient. This move reverses a 2022 rule established during former President Joe Biden’s administration, which aimed to ensure access to abortion services in specific cases, including rape and incest.

The revised policy comes as part of the administration’s broader agenda outlined in the Project 2025 playbook, which advocates for conservative governance principles. Following the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision on June 24, 2022, that ended federally protected access to abortion, many states implemented bans. The 2022 rule intended to protect veterans’ access to abortion, regardless of state laws. Veterans Affairs medical centers were permitted to provide abortion services in cases of rape or incest and when the health or life of the pregnant person was at risk.

According to data reported by Military.com, the VA performed a total of 88 abortions in the first year following the implementation of the 2022 policy, with 64 cases involving threats to the pregnant individual’s health. This data highlights the potential impact of the proposed changes on veterans who may require such services.

The new proposal also affects recipients of the Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs (CHAMPVA), which provides medical coverage to veterans’ families, including children and caregivers. In states such as Texas, Alabama, and Oklahoma, which have implemented abortion bans without exceptions for rape or incest, veterans may face additional barriers to accessing necessary medical care.

The administration’s justification for rescinding the 2022 rule centers on the argument that it created uncertainty for veterans seeking care. Officials indicated that the previous administration had anticipated increased demand for abortion services, but they now assert that the previous rule blurred the lines between elective abortion and necessary health care services. The proposed changes would eliminate counseling on abortion options, returning to a policy where federal funding for abortions is limited to cases of rape, incest, or specific medical circumstances.

The Project 2025 document, co-authored by the conservative Heritage Foundation and anti-abortion organizations, calls for significant reforms across various clinical policies, emphasizing the need to align with conservative values. The document states, “Neither aligns with service-connected conditions that would warrant VA’s providing this type of clinical care.”

According to the National Partnership for Women and Families, over 400,000 women veterans live in states that either have existing abortion bans or are likely to implement them in 2023. This figure represents more than half of the women veterans in the United States, underscoring the potential ramifications of the proposed policy.

Public comment on the proposed rule will be accepted until September 3, 2023, allowing stakeholders and citizens to voice their opinions on this significant change to veterans’ healthcare access.