Some members of Congress strongly opposed the move.
For the first time in its history, the Department of Veterans Affairs will provide abortion services and counseling to veterans in cases of health dangers, rape, and incest. The decision marks the first time VA physicians could perform abortions on federal property.
Under a proposed rule submitted to the Federal Register Thursday, VA healthcare providers could also coordinate abortions with private sector medical offices in locations where the procedures are allowed, and provide counseling on options to all pregnant veterans and eligible beneficiaries.
Both the counseling and abortion procedures would be authorized as soon as next week, pending publication by federal officials and potential legal challenges. VA Secretary Denis McDonough called the move “a patient safety decision” that will fill a critical gap in available medical care.
“Pregnant veterans and VA beneficiaries deserve to have access to world-class reproductive care when they need it most,” he said. “That’s what our nation owes them, and that’s what we at VA will deliver.”
VA officials do not know how many women may qualify for abortion procedures.
The change is opposed by several members of Congress. At multiple hearings in recent months, Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee ranking member Jerry Moran of Kansas was critical of VA officials for considering such a move and cited the Veterans Health Care Act of 1992, which prohibits abortions at VA medical locations.
House Veterans Affairs Committee ranking member Mike Bost of Illinois responded on Friday to the VA’s announcement. “Congress prohibited VA from providing [abortion] decades ago,” Representative Bost said. “This proposal is contrary to longstanding, settled law and a complete administrative overreach.” He said he would work to stop the change from being implemented.
As the Lord Leads, Pray with Us…
- For Senator Moran and the rest of the members of the VA Committee as they assess the VA’s proposed rule.
- For Representative Bost and others in the House VA committee as they respond to the potential change in VA care.
- That Secretary McDonough would seek the Lord as he attempts to implement the president’s abortion agenda.
Sources: Military Times, Wall Street Journal, Axios
