Trump Administration Pursues Measure to Deny Abortion Services to Veterans, Spurring Outcry over Alleged Inhumane Actions
The Trump administration has proposed a significant change to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) policy on abortion care services. If finalized, the rule change would reverse the Biden-era policy that allowed VA facilities to provide abortion care services in specific circumstances, such as cases of rape, incest, or health risks.
The proposed rule, published in the Federal Register on August 4, 2025, initiates a 30-day public comment period. After this period, the VA can finalize and enforce the rule, likely within 30 days of publication.
If finalized, the rule change would largely end abortion access through VA facilities, except in life-threatening situations such as ectopic pregnancies. This policy shift poses significant barriers for women veterans, particularly those living in states that have banned or heavily restricted abortion. More than 400,000 women veterans reside in such states, and the VA’s change would force them to seek abortion care outside of VA facilities, possibly creating barriers to timely access.
The rule eliminates exceptions previously allowed for rape and incest, which is notable given that about one in three women veterans report military sexual assault or harassment, leading to a potential need for abortion services. Advocates and some senators have criticized the move as cruel and harmful to veterans' health and wellbeing.
Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.) stated that the proposed rule change is "unspeakably cruel." The Center for Reproductive Rights also noted that thousands of trans and non-binary veterans in these states may also need access to abortion care.
The Trump administration argues that the Biden rule overreached by expanding veterans' medical benefits package to include abortion care. However, the proposed rule clarifies that it does not prohibit treating pregnant women in life-threatening circumstances, including ectopic pregnancies or miscarriage.
The administration also disputes that the policy before 2022 limited care in life-saving circumstances. The proposed rule states that the exclusion for abortion does not apply when a physician certifies that the life of the mother would be endangered if the fetus were carried to term.
This proposed rule change is currently awaiting the public comment period and likely finalization soon, which would end the Biden-era expanded abortion access at VA facilities except in life-threatening cases. This policy shift poses significant barriers for women veterans, especially in restrictive states, and removes protections for survivors of sexual violence within the veteran community.
[1] Federal Register, August 4, 2025. [2] Center for Reproductive Rights, August 4, 2025. [3] Sen. Patty Murray, August 4, 2025.
- The proposed rule change in the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) policy on abortion care services, published in the Federal Register on August 4, 2025, has initiated a 30-day public comment period.
- If finalized, the rule change would largely end abortion access through VA facilities, except in life-threatening situations such as ectopic pregnancies, but it would remove protections for survivors of sexual violence within the veteran community.
- More than 400,000 women veterans reside in states that have banned or heavily restricted abortion, and the VA’s rule change would force them to seek abortion care outside of VA facilities, potentially creating barriers to timely access.
- Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.) has criticized the proposed rule change as "unspeakably cruel," and the Center for Reproductive Rights also noted that thousands of trans and non-binary veterans in these states may also need access to abortion care.
- The Trump administration argues that the Biden rule overreached by expanding veterans' medical benefits package to include abortion care, but the proposed rule clarifies that it does not prohibit treating pregnant women in life-threatening circumstances, including ectopic pregnancies or miscarriage.
