VA Announces Reversal of Abortion Services Policy

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is set to announce a significant policy reversal concerning abortion services for veterans. This decision marks a departure from the Biden administration’s previous exception that allowed such services. According to a memo obtained by Fox News Digital, the VA will revert its medical benefits package and “CHAMPVA” benefits to the guidelines that existed before a September 2022 rule change. This move is based on the department’s assessment that providing abortion services is contrary to the current medical benefits package as prescribed by federal law.

Historical Context and Legal Framework

The VA’s decision to reverse the policy aligns with the 1999 medical benefits package, which adheres to a 1992 law. This law, outlined in the Veterans Health Care Act by then-Rep. Gillespie Montgomery, D-Miss., authorized various healthcare services for women veterans but explicitly excluded “infertility services [and] abortions” unless related to a pregnancy with increased risks due to a service-connected condition. The longstanding precedent across both Democrat and Republican administrations has been to prevent the VA from offering abortions and abortion counseling.

Impact of the Dobbs Decision

The policy change in 2022 was initially made in response to the Supreme Court’s Dobbs decision, which overturned Roe v. Wade and aimed to return control of abortion policy to individual states. The VA’s memo highlights that the previous administration’s policy shift created a federal entitlement to abortion for veterans, which was not aligned with state laws or historical norms.

Reinstating Bipartisan Policy Norms

The VA’s proposed rule will restore the pre-Biden bipartisan policy, ensuring that the department’s practices are consistent with historical standards. The agency emphasized that this reversal will not hinder pregnant women facing life-threatening circumstances from receiving necessary care. The decision underscores Congress’s longstanding distinction between elective abortion and taxpayer-supported healthcare services across various federal programs.