(Washington, D.C.): Yesterday, Americans United for Life submitted an administrative comment to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) in support of a proposed rule that would restore funding restrictions on abortion and abortion counseling under their medical benefits package and the Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs (CHAMPVA).  

Under the Biden Administration, the VA removed these restrictions and set a radical abortion policy which the Department did not have the power to institute, especially considering the stance of Congress to not federally fund abortions. 

Americans United for Life supports the proposed rule but also recommends language be added to the rule to distinguish the restrictions of funding on elective abortion services from necessary, life-affirming maternal-fetal separation when the life of the mother is put at risk as the result of a pregnancy complication.  

Carolyn McDonnell, Litigation Counsel for Americans United for Life, stated, “The VA under the prior Administration had no legal authority to remove funding restrictions on abortion and abortion counseling. By restoring abortion funding restrictions, the VA is realigning its regulations with federal law and can channel funds towards authentic women’s healthcare instead of elective abortion.” 

John Mize, CEO of Americans United for Life, emphasized, “Our nation’s veterans deserve access to authentic healthcare, and the VA has an opportunity to reallocate funds the Biden Administration disturbingly utilized to peddle abortion rather than uphold the dignity of women who have served our country. We are optimistic that the VA will correct the previous administration’s abortion priority and provide service members life-affirming choices for their families.” 

Read the full comment here. 

For more information or to arrange an interview with AUL, contact Gavin Oxley at press@aul.org or 202-987-3321. 

Since 1971, Americans United for Life (AUL) has advanced the human right to life in culture, law, and policy by equipping advocates and lawmakers with the facts and strategies that change hearts and minds and protect human life. The first national pro-life organization in the country, AUL is a nonprofit, public-interest law and policy organization with a four-star rating from Charity Navigator. 

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