The VA will offer abortions in some cases – even if it’s prohibited: NPR
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The Department of Veterans Affairs said it will begin offering abortions in certain circumstances, even in states where it is illegal or restricted.
The new policy comes in response to the US Supreme Court’s recent decision to overturn Roe v. Wadeallows state governments to decide whether to allow abortion.
Since then, several states have implemented outright bans on the procedure or heavily restricted it.
Now, the VA says it is working on providing abortions to protect the health and lives of veterans in places where they no longer have access to such reproductive care.
Under one new temporary final rule, pregnant veterans and VA beneficiaries will be able to have an abortion if their life or health is in danger if the pregnancy is full term. Patients who become pregnant as a result of rape or incest will also be eligible for an abortion.
The department said it will prepare to offer services in as many places as possible as soon as the rule is announced.
“We came to this decision after hearing from VA and Veterans Affairs healthcare providers around the country who sounded the alarm that restrictive abortion regulations were creating create a medical emergency for the people we serve,” said Dr. Shereef Elnahal, VA health officer, in the statement.
“Delivering this care saves the health and lives of Veterans, and nothing is more important than that,” he added.
The department said determining whether a pregnant person’s life or health is in jeopardy will be done on a case-by-case basis and involve consultation between healthcare providers. VA and patient health.
The department said its employees can avoid state restrictions “when working within the scope of their federal employment.”