Skip to content
  • The Alabama Baptist
  • The Baptist Paper
  • The Alabama Baptist
  • The Baptist Paper
  • Log In
  • Subscribe
  • Renew
  • Donate
  • The Alabama Baptist
  • The Baptist Paper
  • The Alabama Baptist
  • The Baptist Paper
  • Log In
  • Subscribe
  • Renew
  • Donate
The Baptist Paper
Search
Close
The Baptist Paper
Search
Close
  • Latest News
  • Trending
  • Classifieds
  • Your state news
  • Request a free trial
  • Latest News
  • Trending
  • Classifieds
  • Your state news
  • Request a free trial

VA announces plan to expand abortion services for veterans, beneficiaries

  • September 9, 2022
  • The Baptist Paper
  • Latest News, Medical Issues, National News

VA announces plan to expand abortion services for veterans, beneficiaries

The Department of Veterans Affairs announced Sept 2. it will provide abortion counseling and services to pregnant veterans and VA beneficiaries following the Supreme Court’s overturning of Roe v. Wade.

An interim final rule submitted Sept. 1 will allow VA to provide access to abortion counseling and — in certain cases — abortions to pregnant veterans and VA beneficiaries, according to a statement from the department. Specifically, VA providers will be allowed to perform abortions when the life or health of the pregnant veteran would be endangered if the pregnancy were carried to term, or when the pregnancy is the result of rape or incest. VA beneficiaries enrolled in CHAMPVA will also have access to this care, the statement said.

Interim final rules are rules issued by federal agencies that become effective upon publication without first seeking public comment on the rules’ substance. Instead, federal agencies solicit public comment at the time of publication and may make changes to the rules depending upon that feedback. The VA said the abortion rule will be available for public comment for 30 days following publication. Once published, concerned individuals can submit comments here.

Secretary of Veterans Affairs Denis McDonough said the rule is a “patient safety decision,” but pro-life advocates are decrying the VA’s decision.

‘Not health care’

“Abortion is not health care,” said Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America President Marjorie Dannenfelser. “In fact, it carries serious physical and mental health risks — and expanding abortion on demand into the VA is illegal, period.”

In a letter to McDonough sent Aug. 26, Sen. James Lankford of Oklahoma, a Baptist and prominent pro-life voice in Congress, expressed his concerns about any expansion of abortion-related services to those receiving VA health care.

Current federal law and regulation prohibits the VA from providing abortion services, he wrote, citing Section 106 of the Veterans Health Care Act of 1992, which “directs the VA to provide women with ‘general reproductive health care … not including … abortions.'”

Objections

“I strongly urge you and all VA officials to ensure that any regulatory actions proposed or issued by your agency are consistent with laws enacted by Congress, including Section 106 of the Veterans Health Care Act of 1992,” he stated. “Only Congress can change federal law, and Congress has held for the past 30 years that the VA is not permitted to offer abortion services.

“Abortion is not and will never be healthcare [sic]. Healthcare protects life. Abortion takes life. Instead of promoting the taking of human life, I would challenge you, and others within the VA, to respect the dignity of our veterans and all of their family members, including unborn children, by ensuring services provided and funded by the VA are focused on true healthcare consistent with federal law.”

The VA decision comes after the Supreme Court in June overturned federal abortion protections in the Dobbs decision.

Share with others:

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Email

Latest News

  • ERLC releases 2023 Public Policy Agenda to confront opportunities, challenges
    ERLC releases 2023 Public Policy Agenda to confront opportunities, challenges
    January 30, 2023/
    0 Comments
  • Bible Studies for Life Sunday School Lesson for February 5
    Bible Studies for Life Sunday School Lesson for February 5
    January 30, 2023/
    0 Comments
  • ‘Don’t give up’: Coach Tommy Bowden urges pastors to ‘have boldness’
    ‘Don’t give up’: Coach Tommy Bowden urges pastors to ‘have boldness’
    January 30, 2023/
    0 Comments

Sign up for the Highlights

Get all latest content delivered to your email a few times a month.
Email is required Email is not valid
Thanks for your subscription.
Failed to subscribe, please contact admin.

Related Posts

photo of Capital Hill, Washington, D.C.

ERLC releases 2023 Public Policy Agenda to confront opportunities, challenges

The Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission has released its 2023 Public Policy Agenda, highlighting its national legislative and public policy priorities that the organization plans

Bible Studies for Life Sunday School Lesson for February 5

Does It Call You to Trust God? Hebrews 11:1–6, 13–16 Many believers skip over the Epistle to the Hebrews, a biblical book better classified as

‘Don’t give up’: Coach Tommy Bowden urges pastors to ‘have boldness’

Longtime college football coach Tommy Bowden challenged Georgia pastors and politicians on Thursday to always take bold stands for Christ despite the fallout they may

Explore the Bible Sunday School Lesson for February 5

I AM THE LIGHT John 8:3–18 Sky Beam, the world’s brightest man-made light, sits atop the Luxor Hotel in Las Vegas. Airline pilots can spot

Want to receive news highlights throughout the week? Sign up here!

Email is required Email is not valid
Thanks for your subscription.
Failed to subscribe, please contact admin.

About

  • Our Story
  • Our Team
  • Our Partners
  • Advertise and Promote
  • Classifieds
  • Contact us
  • Our Story
  • Our Team
  • Our Partners
  • Advertise and Promote
  • Classifieds
  • Contact us

Explore

  • State-specific news
  • Archive
  • Opinion pieces
  • Sunday School lessons
  • Persecuted Church
  • Podcasts
  • Videos
  • State-specific news
  • Archive
  • Opinion pieces
  • Sunday School lessons
  • Persecuted Church
  • Podcasts
  • Videos

Submissions

  • Story suggestions
  • Your Voice/Letter to the Editor
  • Photos / Videos
  • Corrections/other
  • Submission Policy
  • Story suggestions
  • Your Voice/Letter to the Editor
  • Photos / Videos
  • Corrections/other
  • Submission Policy

Subscribe

  • Subscribe
  • Renew subscription
  • Gift a subscription
  • Start a new member subscription
  • Start a new group subscription
  • Start a new subscription at the group rate
  • Hosted Church
  • Manage your group
  • Manage your account
  • Request free trial
  • Subscribe
  • Renew subscription
  • Gift a subscription
  • Start a new member subscription
  • Start a new group subscription
  • Start a new subscription at the group rate
  • Hosted Church
  • Manage your group
  • Manage your account
  • Request free trial
The Baptist Paper
Address:
3310 Independence Dr.
Birmingham, AL 35209
Copyright © 2023 TAB Media Group
  • Privacy/Terms of Use
  • Help
  • FAQ
  • Privacy/Terms of Use
  • Help
  • FAQ

Email:
news@thebaptistpaper.org

  • Latest News
  • Trending
  • Editorials
  • Archive
  • Your state news
  • Opinions
  • Podcasts
  • Videos
  • Persecuted Church
  • Submit your news
  • Photo Galleries
  • Latest News
  • Trending
  • Editorials
  • Archive
  • Your state news
  • Opinions
  • Podcasts
  • Videos
  • Persecuted Church
  • Submit your news
  • Photo Galleries
  • Our Team
  • Manage your group
  • Manage your account
  • Subscribe
  • Start a new subscription at the group rate
  • Advertise and Promote
  • Classifieds
  • Hosted Church
  • Donate
  • Contact us
  • Our Team
  • Manage your group
  • Manage your account
  • Subscribe
  • Start a new subscription at the group rate
  • Advertise and Promote
  • Classifieds
  • Hosted Church
  • Donate
  • Contact us

Log Out?

Lost your password?

Log In

Lost your password?

Log in

Become a part of our community!
Forgot your password? Get help
Privacy/Terms of Use

Reset password

Recover your password
A password reset link will be e-mailed to you.
Privacy/Terms of Use
Back to
Login
×
Close Panel