Summary:
-
Austin’s directive sets up travel and transportation allowances for military members and their dependents who need abortions but are stationed in states where the procedure is illegal.
-
The new policy does not cover abortions.
-
Federal law says that the Defense Department can’t usually pay for or do the procedure at its own medical facilities.
-
In his memo, Austin tells people in charge of reproductive care to take steps like giving troops more privacy protections.
-
“The new regulation was applauded by congressional Democrats, who have worked to protect military members’ access to abortion since the Supreme Court decided to overturn Roe v. Wade this summer.
Austin’s directive sets up travel and transportation allowances for military members and their dependents who need abortions but are stationed in states where the procedure is illegal. These people must travel to get an abortion because the system is unfair in those states.
The new policy does not cover abortions. Federal law says that the Defense Department can’t usually pay for or perform the procedure at its own medical facilities.
In his memo, Austin tells people in charge of reproductive care to take steps like giving troops more privacy protections. So that military members wouldn’t have to take time off, he also told the department that administrative absences for reproductive care were okay.
Frequent movements for service members and their families “should not hinder their access to reproductive care,” Austin wrote in the memo. According to him, recent legal changes will have “real implications” that will reduce military readiness.
Rogers said the action was a waste of military funds and wanted explanations on “how this document came to be.” If Republicans win the House, Rogers would likely serve as chair of the Armed Services panel the following year.
He said that taxpayers’ money to scare off China and other enemies shouldn’t be used for political campaigns. “DoD must be prevented from squandering any money on this abhorrent policy.”
The new regulation was applauded by congressional Democrats, who have worked to protect military members’ access to abortion since the Supreme Court decided to overturn Roe v. Wade this summer.
According to Senate Armed Services Chair Jack Reed, “The practical result of the Supreme Court’s decision is that troops have been compelled to travel greater distances, take more time off work, and pay more out-of-pocket expenses to get reproductive health care” (D-R.I.). The directives issued by Secretary Austin will lessen some of these obligations.
After the decision, some Democrats in the House tried but failed to make it easier for military hospitals to offer abortions. A group of Senate Democrats is attempting to get the right of military personnel to get abortions while on sick leave codified.
Analysis by: Advocacy Unified Network
