Senator Richard Blumenthal, Ranking Member of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee, has criticized the Trump Administration’s Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for its recent decision to halt abortion care and counseling for veterans. The new policy, implemented through an internal memo by VA Secretary Doug Collins, ends abortion services even in cases involving rape, incest, or threats to a woman’s health.
Blumenthal stated: “Secretively and sickeningly, Trump’s VA is depriving women veterans of essential health care. A policy just issued by Secretary Collins stops this reproductive care even for women who are victims of rape or incest, or whose health is at risk. He’s done it by internal memo, not by open rule making, avoiding public attention and scrutiny. My Republican colleagues should be as outraged as I am. The result will be chaos and confusion among health care providers, and anxiety and pain for women veterans. This cruel, misguided action is reckless and reprehensible.”
The VA began offering abortion counseling to all pregnant veterans and CHAMPVA beneficiaries in September 2022. Abortion services were also provided in cases of rape, incest, or when the life or health of the veteran was endangered. This policy change followed the Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization decision that increased risks for pregnant veterans living in states with strict abortion laws.
A few days ago, the Trump Department of Justice issued a memo banning abortion care and counseling at VA facilities. The VA then acted on this directive through an internal memo implementing the policy immediately. This move comes after an earlier announcement in August regarding plans to change the rule but bypasses the usual public rulemaking process.
Currently, more than 462,000 women veterans of reproductive age are enrolled in VA health care programs. Over half reside in states where abortion access is banned or restricted.
