The Department of Veterans Affairs will offer abortions and abortion counseling under certain circumstances, even in states where the procedure is illegal. The agency that cares for America’s veterans said Friday it has filed an interim rule in the Federal Register that would allow the VA to provide access to abortion when a pregnant veteran’s life is in danger or if the pregnancy is the result of rape or incest. The move is the latest by the Biden administration to expand access to abortion as conservative-led states continue to restrict the procedure. “This is a patient safety decision,” Veterans Affairs Secretary Denis McDonough said in a statement. “Pregnant veterans and VA beneficiaries deserve to have access to world-class reproductive care when they need it most. Our nation owes it to them, and that’s what we at the VA will deliver.” DEMOCRATS MADE ABORTION THE MESSAGE OF THE INTERMEDIATE, BUT WON’T EXPLAIN THEIR POSITION The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs building is shown in Washington, D.C. The agency said Friday it will offer abortions to veterans in certain circumstances. (ALASTAIR PIKE/AFP via Getty Images) Once the rule is published, it will go into effect immediately, the VA said. It will be available for public comment for 30 days thereafter. The VA said it is ready “to provide these services in as many locations as possible.” “As abortion bans take effect across the country, veterans in many States no longer have assured access to abortion services in their communities, even when those services are needed,” the rule states. Since then, President Biden has taken several steps to expand reproductive health care services and access to them. decision of the Supreme Court in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization. In August, he signed an executive order opening the way for taxpayer-funded abortions. CLICK TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP “I think Roe got it right, and it’s been the law for almost 50 years,” the president said at the signing, which he attended essentially because of his COVID-19 diagnosis. “And I pledge to the American people that we are doing everything in our power to preserve access to health care, including the right to choose what women had under Roe v. Wade, which was struck down by this extreme court.” . Fox News’ Jessica Chasmar contributed to this report.
