Reproductive freedom is being further restricted by the Trump administration as the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) proposes a policy that will eliminate abortion access for veterans. Veterans and their loved ones will no longer be able to access abortion care or counseling through the VA health system, even if the pregnancy endangers their health, or is the result of rape or incest. The Sexual Violence Prevention Association (SVPA), and 98 other members of the Gender Equity Coalition, have joined a coalition comment expressing deep opposition to eliminating abortion care and counseling coverage for veterans. The comment argues that this proposed rule violates VA’s core responsibility to provide needed care to veterans and will threaten the lives and health of those who rely on VA for their care.
The law will only take effect after the administration finalizes the rule.
The current policy allows veterans, eligible family members, and caretakers to access abortion care through the VA in cases of rape, incest, and health endangerment of the pregnant person. On August 4, 2025, the Trump administration’s VA announced that these rights will be rescinded.
The new proposed rule denies abortion care to anyone who relies on VA for their medical care, except in rare circumstances where a physician certifies that the person’s life is seriously at risk. This policy neglects the health of veterans and their families by denying them necessary medical care unless they are near death.
“There are over two million women veterans in the U.S., as well as thousands of transgender men and non-binary veterans who might need abortion care,” the Center for Reproductive Rights reports. “The proposed ban would also impact the 700,000 family members of veterans eligible for care through the VA.”
Access to reproductive healthcare and counseling is a right, not a privilege to be taken away by the government. Since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, revoking constitutionally protected abortions nationwide, more than 12 states have enacted total or near-total abortion bans. For veterans in these states, the VA was the only place they were able to obtain abortion care. Now this proposed rule would force even more citizens who need abortion care to travel to another state or carry an unwanted pregnancy to term.
Women in the military face significantly higher rates of sexual violence. About 1 in 3 female veterans seen by VA providers report experiencing military sexual trauma — defined as any sexual assault or sexual harassment that happens during military service. These women, and their families, deserve to have medical protections and freedoms. They should not have their right to bodily autonomy stripped from them.
The current 2022 VA rule recognizes that abortion care is essential health care that provides critical access for survivors. Veterans who may become parents often experience service-related trauma and mental health conditions that increase pregnancy-related risks. The ability to receive full reproductive health care, including abortion care and counseling, is essential for survivors to make informed decisions about their health and well-being.
The SVPA is deeply opposed to eliminating abortion care and counseling coverage for veterans. We joined this coalition comment to declare that this proposed rule violates VA’s core responsibility to provide needed care to veterans. will threaten the lives and health of those who rely on VA for their care.
