The Department of Veterans Affairs proposed a new rule that they will offer abortions to veterans and VA beneficiaries at their hospitals nationwide in cases of rape, incest or if the life of a mother is at risk.

The new rule change comes after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in June, ending the constitutional right to an abortion and creating a patchwork of laws and restrictions across the country.

What You Need To Know

  • The Department of Veterans Affairs proposed a new rule that they will offer abortions to veterans and VA beneficiaries at their hospitals nationwide in cases of rape, incest or if the life of a mother is at risk

  • The rule change comes after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in June, ending the constitutional right to an abortion and creating a patchwork of laws and restrictions across the country

  • The VA's decision was cheered by Democrats, who have long called for the agency to take such an action, but slammed by Republicans

  • There will be a 30-day period for public comment on the V.A.’s new abortion policy; it will likely face a court challenge

Under the policy change, abortions will be available even at VA hospitals in states that have severely restricted or banned the procedure. The VA's decision was cheered by Democrats, who have long called for the agency to take such an action, but slammed by Republicans.

Democratic Senators Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts and Mazie Hirono of Hawaii, among others, held a news conference Wednesday applauding the V.A.'s decision. 

“The VA is making clear that veterans have access to reproductive health care, even in states where MAGA Republican politicians are criminalizing abortion without exception,” said Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass.

Currently, states like Florida, Kentucky, Texas, and Ohio have laws restricting abortions but the states also are home to major VA medical centers.

Republican Sen. Josh Hawley represents Missouri, a state that now only permits abortions if the life of the mother is at risk and has no exceptions for rape or incest. He argues Democrats are the ones making “radical” decisions on the issue of abortion care.

“This seems to me to be yet another attempt by the Biden administration to get around what's actually in the law and ... to completely deny the ability of the American people to make up their minds on this issue and legislate on it," Hawley said. 

Lawmakers who support the rule change disagree with Hawley's remarks. Warren and Hirono were among more than two dozen Democratic lawmakers who petitioned the Secretary of Veteran Affairs to make the change after the Supreme Court voted six to three to overturn Roe v. Wade in June. 

Before last week’s announcement, abortion care for veterans was limited and it was only available under specific circumstances. 

Hirono says the decision is one that a woman should be able to make on her own.

“These women put their lives on the line when they were in service to our country. And now when they want to make decisions to protect their own lives, or in the case of rape or incest, the Republicans are saying no," Hirono said. 

There will be a 30-day period for public comment on the V.A.’s new abortion policy. The rule is also likely to face a court challenge.