US Govt dept accused of attempting to provide ‘illegal’ abortions

The US Government’s Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) wants to provide abortions at its medical facilities across the country, even though it could contravene state and federal law.

In June, the US Supreme Court overturned Roe v Wade, returning responsibility for laws on abortion to elected representatives in the 50 states.

But the VA stated that “irrespective of what laws or policies States may impose”, it intends to issue abortions for tens of thousands of veterans and their beneficiaries under its health care programmes.

Mother’s health

Until August, the department acknowledged that “under current regulation, VA doesn’t provide abortion or abortion counseling”. But this statement has now been removed from its website, although the federal law has not changed.

Abortions would be available when the mother’s “health” is deemed to be at risk, as well as in cases of rape or incest.

The VA claimed that unless it “makes clear that needed abortion-related care is authorized, these veterans will face serious threats to their life and health”.

‘Illegal’

Marjorie Dannenfelser, President of Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America, accused the department of bowing to the “radical abortion lobby’s demands to violate state and federal law regarding abortion.

“Abortion is not health care – in fact it carries serious physical and mental health risks – and expanding abortion on demand into the VA is illegal, period.”

Texas Right to Life President Dr. John Seago added: “Veterans sacrifice so much to protect our God-given rights, the foremost of which is the Right to Life.”

expanding abortion on demand into the VA is illegal, period

Young people

Last month, the BBC reported that young people campaigning against abortion in the US see their cause as a matter of social justice.

Journalists Rianna Croxford and Chelsea Bailey wrote that pro-lifers in the States born after 1996 – an age group known as Generation Z – campaign for the unborn on a platform of equal rights for everyone.

A recent survey by the Pew Research Center found that nearly three-in-ten (28 per cent) Americans between the ages of 18 to 29 say abortion should be illegal in all or most cases.