{"id":76615,"date":"2022-10-10T14:22:50","date_gmt":"2022-10-10T14:22:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/armytimes\/uncategorized\/2022\/10\/10\/expand-va-abortion-access-to-all-vets-and-dependents-advocates-say\/"},"modified":"2026-08-08T14:14:10","modified_gmt":"2026-08-08T14:14:10","slug":"expand-va-abortion-access-to-all-vets-and-dependents-advocates-say","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/armytimes\/veterans\/2022\/10\/10\/expand-va-abortion-access-to-all-vets-and-dependents-advocates-say\/","title":{"rendered":"Expand VA abortion access to all vets and dependents, advocates say"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

A group of advocates<\/a> is pushing Veterans Affairs leaders to expand abortion access<\/a> to all pregnant veterans and dependents eligible for health care services, arguing such a move is within the department\u2019s legal power.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Officials from the Vet Voice Foundation<\/a>, which supports a host of veteran and Democratic causes, argued in a memo released Monday that the department has \u201cthe legal authority and moral obligation\u201d to broaden its rules regarding abortion in light of the increasing number of states banning the procedure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBecause the medical evidence supports the conclusion that access to abortion care preserves, promotes, and restores health, we urge [the VA Secretary] to expand access to cover abortion care in all cases,\u201d the group wrote in its response to VA leaders\u2019 request for public comment on the issue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In September, department officials announced plans to offer abortion access to veterans and eligible dependents in cases of rape, incest and pregnancies that endanger the life or health of an individual. Officials also promised abortion counseling to any veteran in the VA medical system, for the opportunity of discussing both internal and external options regarding the procedure.<\/p>\n\n\n\t