The U.S. Division of Veterans Affairs constructing is seen in Washington, D.C., in 2019.
Alastair Pike/AFP by way of Getty Photographs
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Alastair Pike/AFP by way of Getty Photographs
The U.S. Division of Veterans Affairs constructing is seen in Washington, D.C., in 2019.
Alastair Pike/AFP by way of Getty Photographs
The Division of Veterans Affairs says it is going to begin offering abortions in sure circumstances, even in states the place it is unlawful or restricted.
The brand new coverage got here in response to the latest U.S. Supreme Court docket choice overturning Roe v. Wade, which allowed state governments to determine whether or not to allow abortions.
Since then, various states have carried out full bans on the process or drastically restricted it.
Now, the VA says it is stepping in to supply abortions to be able to defend the well being and lives of veterans in locations the place they’ll now not entry such reproductive care.
Underneath a new interim last rule, pregnant veterans and VA beneficiaries will be capable of get abortions if their life or well being can be in peril if the being pregnant went to time period. Sufferers whose pregnancies had been the results of rape or incest may even be eligible for abortions.
The division stated it could put together to supply the providers in as many locations as attainable as quickly because the rule is printed.
“We got here to this choice after listening to VA well being care suppliers and Veterans throughout the nation, who sounded the alarm that abortion restrictions are making a medical emergency for these we serve,” Dr. Shereef Elnahal, the VA’s undersecretary for well being, stated in a press release.
“Providing this care will save Veterans’ well being and lives, and there may be nothing extra necessary than that,” he added.
The division stated determinations of whether or not a pregnant individual’s life or well being was in peril can be made on a case-by-case foundation and contain session between VA well being care suppliers and sufferers.
The division says its staff are in a position to keep away from state restrictions “when working inside the scope of their federal employment.”
