Trump Administration Bans Abortion Access for Veterans and Their Families

WASHINGTON, D.C. - New reportingreveals that the Trump administration quietly implemented a new policy essentially banning all abortion care for veterans and their dependents, with no exceptions for rape, incest, or to protect the health of the pregnant person - despite an outpouring of opposition from veterans, their families, and advocates. The new policy also bans Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) providers from offering abortion counseling to their patients - depriving pregnant veterans of the ability to make fully informed decisions about their bodies and health.

This ban goes into effect as the Trump administration and its allies in Congress continue a full-scale attack on access to sexual and reproductive health: stripping veterans of essential health care, slashing Medicaid, and "defunding" Planned Parenthood.

In response, Alexis McGill Johnson, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood Federation of America, released the following statement:

"To attack the freedoms of those who have risked their lives defending our own is an egregious assault on fundamental rights. This abortion ban makes it clear that the Trump administration will always choose its dangerous political agenda, even if the cost is veterans and their families' access to essential care. Everyone deserves the ability to make decisions about their own bodies, lives, and futures. Planned Parenthood will continue to fight to ensure that all people, including veterans and their families, have full access to sexual and reproductive health care."

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Planned Parenthood is the nation's leading provider and advocate of high-quality, affordable sexual and reproductive health care for all people, as well as the nation's largest provider of sex education. With nearly 600 health centers across the country, Planned Parenthood organizations serve all patients with care and compassion, with respect, and without judgment, striving to create equitable access to health care.Through health centers, programs in schools and communities, and online resources, Planned Parenthood is a trusted source of reliable education and information that allows people to make informed health decisions. We do all this because we care passionately about helping people lead healthier lives. Planned Parenthood Federation of America (PPFA) is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization that supports the independently incorporated Planned Parenthood affiliates operating health centers across the U.S.