The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is finalizing a policy to provide taxpayer-funded abortions to veterans and beneficiaries.
It will allow abortions throughout pregnancy in cases of rape, incest or risk to the woman’s life/health, and counseling.
The rule was introduced in September 2022 after the overturning of Roe v. Wade.
The VA said in a statement, “While some taxpayers may disagree with this use of Federal funds, VA is authorized to provide and pay for care that is needed for veterans and medically necessary and appropriate for CHAMPVA beneficiaries,”
Nearly 58,000 public comments were received but no changes were made.
It formally takes effect in April 2024. Republicans opposed the rule as an unlawful use of federal funds and inclusion of abortions in the VA spending bill failed last year.
Rebecca Kheel said, “Republicans in Congress are likely to continue trying to roll it back.”
“A Senate GOP effort to force the VA to reverse the policy failed last year, but Republicans who control the House included VA abortion restrictions in their initial version of the 2024 VA spending bill, which has yet to become law,” said Kheel.
During its interim phase, a Christian healthcare worker sued the VA over being required to assist abortions, violating her religious beliefs, but won a religious accommodation process.
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