Attorney General Kwame Raoul of Illinois has joined forces with six attorneys general to request a meeting with federal officials concerning a rule that impacts reproductive health services for veterans and their families. The group addressed a letter to Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Secretary Doug Collins and Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Director Russell Vought. The focal point of discussion is a rule titled "Reproductive Health Services." This rule authorizes the VA medical benefits package and the Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs to provide abortion counseling for all pregnancies, with abortion services available when the patient's life or health is endangered, and in instances of self-reported rape or incest.
This action follows indications from the Trump administration that it is considering revising the rule and has commenced discussions with other parties involved. Raoul expressed the need to ensure that veterans' rights to reproductive freedom remain safeguarded. He stated, "Those who have served in the military have made countless sacrifices to protect our freedoms. In return, our military veterans deserve the protection of their rights to reproductive freedom."
The rule, announced as an interim measure in September 2022 after the U.S. Supreme Court's overturning of Roe v. Wade, was finalized on March 4, 2024. Raoul, among other attorneys general, supported the VA's initiative to broaden reproductive health access in a letter issued in October 2022. In light of the Dobbs decision, numerous states have imposed or proposed increased restrictions on abortion services.
Attorney General Raoul and others emphasize the rule's significance, viewing it as a measure that addresses a critical gap in healthcare services for veterans and their families. They argue that it ensures these individuals have access to the same services widely available to civilians. Their letter highlights the statistic that 42% of the 2 million women veterans in the United States, many of whom are of childbearing age, utilize VA health services. They stress that timely access to necessary abortion care is essential in emergencies to protect the health or life of a pregnant patient. Additionally, the coalition underscores the importance of providing abortion services in cases of self-reported rape or incest given the documented higher instances of sexual trauma experienced by veterans compared to their civilian counterparts.
The attorneys general involved are seeking a meeting to underscore the rule's importance and discuss its implications with federal officials. Alongside Attorney General Raoul, the attorneys general from California, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, and Washington are participating in this initiative.