press release

National Women’s Law Center, Democracy Forward and Minority Veterans of America Condemn Administration’s Treatment of Veterans, Commit to Fighting Cruel New Policy

Washington, D.C. – The Trump-Vance administration this week quietly implemented a new policy, fueled by a new U.S. Department of Justice opinion by the Office of Legal Counsel (OLC), that rolls back abortion access and counseling at Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) facilities, including in cases of rape or serious health risks.

This policy shift comes before the VA has even finished finalizing a new regulation that would memorialize this cruel and unlawful shift.

The Trump-Vance administration’s policy reverses the VA’s expansion of abortion care following the Supreme Court’s Dobbs decision in 2022. The VA now has the most extreme abortion restriction across federal agencies’ health care programs. The new policy essentially makes veterans “second class,” and sends a clear message to veterans that after putting their life on the line for this country, a retired servicemember no longer deserves access to the same health care benefits as those who are active duty.

“The Trump administration is confirming what we’ve always known: its promise to leave abortion to the states was a lie. No one is safe from their anti-abortion crusade, not even our nation’s veterans,” said Fatima Goss Graves, president and CEO of the National Women’s Law Center. “After the sacrifices that our veterans have made to serve our country, the least that they deserve is comprehensive health care. Federal lawmakers must pass legislation to reverse this harmful new policy and reinstate abortion access to all veterans and their loved ones who depend on the VA for care.”

Democracy Forward represented Minority Veterans of America in submitting a forceful comment opposing the rule. The organization emphasized that women are the fastest-growing segment of the veteran population and that veterans face higher rates of sexual assault and pregnancy complications—making this care especially critical for this community.

“Denying veterans essential health care and abortion access – even in cases of rape or serious health risk – after they have sacrificed so much for our country is callous and inhumane,” said Skye Perryman, President and CEO of Democracy Forward. “Democracy Forward is proud to represent Minority Veterans of America in opposing this policy, and we will continue to fight its implementation now that it has been finalized. Veterans deserve dignity and respect that includes the freedom to make their own health care decisions.”

“Life can change for anyone in an instant. For anyone who is, knows, or loves a veteran, it should be clear that denying care for essential services, especially in an emergency, is dangerous and cruel,” said Lindsay Church, co-founder and Executive Director of Minority Veterans of America. “VA’s latest abortion ban is a direct attack on veterans’ freedoms, including our right to make our own health care decisions. Veterans face unique challenges that make it critical for us to be able to access abortion care, including possible exposure to toxic chemicals, waiting to start a family until after our service, and experiencing sexual assault. Abortion should not be a political issue – it is necessary, life-saving medical care and denying this care will put veterans and their loved ones’ lives in danger.”

Screenshots of the new VA policy are here (page 1, page 2).

The OLC opinion is here.

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The National Women’s Law Center fights for gender justice—in the courts, in public policy, and in our society—working across the issues that are central to the lives of women and girls. We use the law in all its forms to change culture and drive solutions to the gender inequity that shapes our society and to break down the barriers that harm all of us—especially women of color, LGBTQ people, and low-income women and families. For 50 years, we have been on the leading edge of every major legal and policy victory for women. Find out more at NWLC.org.

Democracy Forward Foundation is a national legal organization that advances democracy and social progress through litigation, policy, public education, and regulatory engagement. For more information, please visit www.democracyforward.org. 

Minority Veterans of America (MVA) is a non-partisan, non-profit organization dedicated to fostering belonging and advancing equity for underrepresented Veterans, including women, people of color, LGBTQ+ individuals, and religious minorities. The organization seeks to transform the narrative of the American Veteran by building an interconnected community, enhancing understanding of its members’ identities, and serving minority Veterans through targeted programming and advocacy. For more information, visit www.minorityvets.org.