Democracy Now! Audio New Trump Rule to Ban Veteran Affairs Doctors from Performing Abortions
Sep 3, 2025
Aaron Glantz, an investigative reporter for The Guardian specializing in veterans' affairs, discusses a controversial new rule from the Department of Veterans Affairs. This rule could ban VA doctors from performing most abortions, even in cases of rape and incest. Glantz highlights the emotional toll this policy may take on female veterans who face systemic barriers to reproductive rights. He delves into the polarized views within the veteran community, emphasizing the urgent need for public input as implications for women's health loom large.
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VA Proposal Removes Broad Abortion Access
- The proposed VA rule would bar abortions, counseling, and abortion medications even after rape or incest.
- This change removes critical reproductive care for a population with high sexual assault rates.
Female Veterans Face Elevated Assault Risks
- Female veterans face much higher rates of sexual assault and intimate partner violence than non-veterans.
- Cutting VA abortion access therefore disproportionately harms a vulnerable, at-risk group.
VA's Legal Rationale Is Questioned
- The VA cited a 1992 law and safety concerns to justify restricting abortions, but legal experts call that reasoning dubious.
- The agency already provides services arguably inconsistent with that law, like maternity care and IVF.