Name: Veterans Affairs to Offer Abortions, a Move Some Say Is Illegal
Uploaded: 2022-09-03T02:25:46.000Z
Description: The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) on Sept. 2 announced plans to offer abortions, despite warnings that such a move would be illegal.

Arian Pasdar is an international correspondent for NTD News based in South America. His reporting focuses on immigration and key events in Latin America.

Arian Pasdar

NTD Plus

News

News with integrity, from the United States and around the world. Focused reports and analyses that shed light on major issues the world deserves to know. NTD Evening News airs daily at 6 p.m. ET.

NTD Evening News

CIA Docs Show Venezuela Regime Was Finding Ways to Rig Elections

Jason Blair is a national correspondent for NTD News based in California. 

Jason Blair

First Hospital Pledges to Make Hospital Food Healthy Again

Sam Wang is a Washington correspondent for NTD News based in Washington, D.C. Sam covers politics on Capitol Hill, and U.S.-China relations. 

Sam Wang

Citizens React to CCP Meddling in US Elections

Cary Dunst is the news anchor for NTD Evening News. He is also the co-host of NTD Good Morning.


Cary Dunst

Trump’s Address ‘Exposed People Covering up for Communist China,’ Says Former CIA Operative

David Lam is a national correspondent based in California and a part-time anchor for "NTD Tonight." Before joining NTD he was a financial analyst.

David Lam

California Restauranteur Who Went Viral for Policy on Misbehaving Kids to Open New Store

Christina Corona is a California-based reporter for NTD News. She primarily covers California news, politics, and entertainment.  

Christina Corona

Canadian Wildfire Smoke Triggers NYC Air Alert

Jason Perry is an Army veteran and NTD's national security correspondent. Jason primarily covers border security, national defense, foreign wars, and veterans' issues.

Jason Perry

US Troops Board Tanker During Naval Blockade

Dave Martin is NTD's Senior Sports Reporter and sports analyst. He also hosts "Data Hub" segments during NTD's special election coverage, "The Nation Decides."

Dave Martin

Herbert, Burns Tie Record With 62 at British Open

Fiona Ji is a reporter based at NTD's global headquarters in New York City, where she covers local news.

Fiona Ji

Rep. John Moolenaar Urges Unity Against CCP Threats in US

Kimberly Hayek is a reporter for The Epoch Times. She covers California news and has worked as an editor and on scene at the U.S.-Mexico border during the 2019 migrant caravan crisis.

Kimberly Hayek

Chris Bob is a reporter for NTD and a host of "Profiles of Service." He is also a small business owner. Chris graduated from Union College with a concentration in politics and religion in Russia and the former Soviet Union.

Chris Bob

US News

Politics

Congress

House GOP Advances $95 Billion Funding Package

NTD Evening News Full Broadcast (July 17)

NTD Evening News Full Broadcast (July 16)

NTD Evening News Full Broadcast (July 15)

NTD Evening News Full Broadcast (July 14)

NTD Evening News Full Broadcast (July 13)

Chris Beers is an NTD News anchor and political correspondent based at the network's global headquarters in New York City. Chris co-anchors "NTD News Today" weekdays at 10:00 am ET.

Chris Beers

NTD Evening News Full Broadcast (July 12)

Arleen Richards is NTD's legal correspondent based at the network's global headquarters in New York City, where she covers all major legal stories. Arleen holds a Doctor of Law (J.D.).


Arleen Richards

NTD Evening News Full Broadcast (July 11)

NTD Evening News Full Broadcast (July 10)

NTD Evening News Full Broadcast (July 9)

NTD Evening News Full Broadcast (July 8)

Tom Gantert is a reporter for The Epoch Times.

Tom Gantert

Melina Wisecup is NTD's congressional correspondent based in Washington, covering Capitol Hill and campaign politics.

Melina Wisecup

Executive Branch

Trump Uses Recent Speeches to Warn Americans of Resurging Communism

NTD+ is a streaming platform featuring exclusive programming, investigative news analysis, and award-winning documentaries.


NTD+

Shorts

Alleged Reflecting Pool Vandalism Caught on Video

NTD Newsroom comprises teams of reporters, editors, and producers assigned to cover breaking news and other stories.


NTD Newsroom

News you can trust from the U.S. and around the world. Critical information and insight. We cover the stories that others don’t. NTD News Today airs Monday–Friday at 11 a.m. ET.

NTD News Today

Iran's Football Team Leaves Note of Friendship

Melanie is a reporter and editor covering world news. She has a background in environmental research.

Melanie Sun

State News

California

California Governor, LA Mayor Declare Emergency Over Warehouse Fire

The Associated Press is an American not-for-profit news agency headquartered in New York City. 

The Associated Press

Sen. Lindsey Graham Likely Died After Aorta Tear, Medical Examiner Says

Joseph Lord is a congressional reporter for The Epoch Times.


Joseph Lord

House Passes Legislation to Make Daylight Saving Time Permanent

Jack Phillips is a breaking news reporter with 15 years experience who started as a local New York City reporter. Having joined The Epoch Times' news team in 2009, Jack was born and raised near Modesto in California's Central Valley. 

Jack Phillips

Andrew Thomas is a reporter for NTD News primarily covering business, the economy, and technology. 

Andrew Thomas

World News

Middle East

UN Maritime Group to Rescue 11,000 Sailors Stranded in Middle East

Mary Man is a writer for NTD. She has traveled around the world covering China, international news, and arts and culture.

Mary Man

China News

China Floods: Thousands at Risk After Multiple Dams Collapse in Guangxi

Aldgra Fredly is a freelance writer covering U.S. and Asia Pacific news for The Epoch Times.

Aldgra Fredly

Gabbard Releases Documents on Fauci’s Alleged Role in Wuhan Lab Research Linked to COVID

Ryan Morgan is a reporter for The Epoch Times focusing on military and foreign affairs. He was previously a news writer for NTD. 


Ryan Morgan

Iran

US, Iran Launch New Strikes; Trump Warns Ceasefire May Collapse

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) on Sept. 2 announced plans to offer abortions, despite warnings that such a move would be illegal.

The VA's <a href="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/22274673-va-interim-final-rule">interim final rule</a> lets the department provide abortion counseling and abortions to pregnant veterans and beneficiaries.

The abortions will be available when "the life or the health of the pregnant veteran would be endangered if the pregnancy were carried to term" or the pregnancy resulted from rape or incest, according to the rule.

A pregnant veteran saying that rape or incest occurred is sufficient evidence that it did, according to the rule.

Dr. Shereef Elnahal, the VA's undersecretary for health, said that the change brings the VA in alignment with "generally accepted standards of medical practice" and that the updated policy came about due to input from VA healthcare providers and veterans "who sounded the alarm that abortion restrictions are creating a medical emergency for those we serve."

The abortions may be done even if they violate restrictions in a state, the VA said.
<h2>Senators Called for Move</h2>
Twenty-seven Democrat senators in July called for the VA to offer abortions, following the U.S. Supreme Court's striking down of Roe v. Wade.

“This decision makes it even more critical that veterans receive access to the reproductive care to which they are entitled. Thus, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) must urgently begin rulemaking to allow veterans and eligible dependents to receive abortions and all abortion-related services," the senators wrote in <a href="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/22274680-senators-letter-to-va">a letter</a> to VA Secretary Denis McDonough, a Biden appointee.

Sen. Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), one of the signatories, welcomed the new update.

"This is an important first step. The VA must go further and provide these services to all veterans, regardless of circumstances," she said in a statement on Sept. 2.

Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), who also signed the letter, called the update a "critical action ... to ensure American veterans are provided reproductive health care."
<h2>Illegal?</h2>
McDonough told a congressional panel in 2021 that the VA is not prohibited from providing abortions.

The Democrat senators agreed, noting that the Hyde Amendment, which bars some government funding for abortions, does not apply to the VA.

However, the VA would violate a different law if it performed abortions, Sen. James Lankford (R-Okla.) <a href="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/22274681-lankford-letter">warned McDonough</a> in August.

Section 106 of the Veterans Health Care Act of 1992 says that the VA may provide women with "general reproductive healthcare, including the management of menopause, but not including under this section infertility services, abortions, or pregnancy care," except relating to a pregnancy "that is complicated or in which the risks of complications are increased by a service-connected condition."

"The VA isn't an abortion clinic. For 30 years, the law has been clear that the VA isn't permitted to offer abortions. Instead of ignoring the law & promoting taking human life, the VA should respect the dignity of our veterans & their family members, including unborn children," Lankford said in a statement on Friday.

The VA in its rule cited 38 U.S.C. 1710, which states that the VA secretary “may,” subject to certain limitations, “furnish hospital care” and “medical services . . . which the Secretary determines to be needed," and claimed that medical services include abortions.

<em>From <a href="https://www.theepochtimes.com/veterans-affairs-to-offer-abortions-a-move-some-say-is-illegal_4707408.html">The Epoch Times</a></em>

Videos

Veterans

04_Top Stories

Latest Clips

abortions

Abortion

Zachary Stieber is a senior reporter for The Epoch Times based in Maryland. He covers U.S. and world news. Contact Zachary at zack.stieber@epochtimes.com

Zachary Stieber

Latest and breaking news, documentaries, movies, and lifestyle content on NTD+.
 
Empower your knowledge and elevate your spirit with NTD+, your go-to destination for truthful news, insightful documentaries, and captivating lifestyle content that enriches your life.

Veterans Affairs to Offer Abortions, a Move Some Say Is Illegal

Stefania Cox is an NTD News anchor and national correspondent based at the network's global headquarters in New York City. Stefania anchors "NTD Newsroom," and co-anchors "NTD News Today" weekdays at 10:00 am ET.

Stefania Cox

Special Coverage

[LIVE July 23 at 11:30 AM ET] 2026 Rally and March to End the Persecution of Falun Dafa

NTD News Today Full Broadcast (July 17)

We present news that is truthful and based on facts, outside of the political fog. Instead of focusing on the negative things happening around us, our mission is to give our viewers a good morning with empathetic and uplifting stories. Our aim is to provide an antidote to negativity by shining a light on the best side of people. We speak to inspiring people who positively impact communities, pursue topics that represent our common human values, and will never miss an opportunity to bring you heartwarming stories.

NTD Good Morning

NTD Good Morning Full Broadcast (July 17)

Tiffany Meier is an anchor, China news investigative reporter, and producer for NTD News based at the network's global headquarters in New York City. Tiffany anchors NTD's flagship shows "NTD Evening News" and "China in Focus" and co-moderates NTD's special election coverage "The Nation Decides." She produced the award-winning NTD Original documentary "Hollywood Takeover: China's Control in the Film Industry."


Tiffany Meier

NTD Special Coverage: Trump Addresses the Nation

NTD News Today Full Broadcast (July 16)

NTD Good Morning Full Broadcast (July 16)

NTD News Today Full Broadcast (July 15)

NTD Good Morning Full Broadcast (July 15)

Kevin Hogan is an NTD News data reporter and national correspondent based at the network's global headquarters in New York City. Kevin covers breaking news, as well as U.S. and global current events. He conveys the news through data visualizations and investigates pressing issues.