The Biden administration will allow the Veterans Health Administration to provide abortion care to veterans and their dependents.
Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.), who has advocated for abortion rights in the Senate, celebrated the move Friday. Twenty-four Senate Democrats, including Murray, have urged Veterans Affairs Secretary Denis McDonough to create rules that would allow veterans and their dependents to receive abortions in VHA facilities. Before the announcement, VA was banned from providing any abortion care or counseling on its premises.
“For the first time ever, the Veterans Health Administration will finally be able to provide abortion care to ensure none of our veterans or their eligible dependents will have to face medical emergencies — or stay pregnant after a rape or incest — simply because Republican politicians think they know what’s best for them,” Murray said in a statement.
Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.), who has advocated for abortion rights in the Senate, celebrated the move Friday. Twenty-four Senate Democrats, including Murray, have urged Veterans Affairs Secretary Denis McDonough to create rules that would allow veterans and their dependents to receive abortions in VHA facilities. Before the announcement, VA was banned from providing any abortion care or counseling on its premises.
“For the first time ever, the Veterans Health Administration will finally be able to provide abortion care to ensure none of our veterans or their eligible dependents will have to face medical emergencies — or stay pregnant after a rape or incest — simply because Republican politicians think they know what’s best for them,” Murray said in a statement.