Statement of Jocelyn Frye, President of the National Partnership for Women & Families

WASHINGTON, D.C. – March 6, 2024 – This week, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) finalized a rule that protects access to abortion counseling and care for service members, even in states with abortion restrictions. The rule was initially implemented by the Biden administration in response to the Supreme Court’s Dobbs decision, which ended abortion protections under Roe v. Wade. In response to the final implementation of the rule, Jocelyn C. Frye, President of the National Partnership for Women & Families, issued the following statement:

“The National Partnership commends the Veteran Administration’s commitment to protecting abortion care and its action to expand access to abortion care and counseling for service members and their loved ones. In doing so, the VA is honoring its fundamental duty to help veterans access essential health care without restriction.

“More than 55 percent of women veterans of reproductive age live in states that have banned abortion or are likely to do so. Abortion care is essential to reproductive health, and we know these bans inflict greater harm on the most underserved and vulnerable communities, including disabled people and people of color.

“The National Partnership applauds the leadership of the Biden administration and the VA to safeguard access to abortion care and counseling for veterans and their loved ones at a time when reproductive freedom is under assault. Advancing abortion care is a fundamental part of advancing health equity and economic justice. We must fight back against those who are trying to take our country backwards.”

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