Trump Administration Plans Abortion Ban at VA Hospitals Nationwide

The Trump administration has proposed new rules to revoke abortion coverage for veterans and their families at Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) hospitals, reversing policies implemented during President Joe Biden's administration. The Biden-era policy, enacted in 2022 after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, allowed abortions at VA hospitals even in states where abortion is banned. The proposed Trump administration rule would restrict abortion access to only life-threatening circumstances and exclude cases of rape and incest, aligning VA coverage with other federal health plans like Medicaid and TriCare. Critics, including reproductive health advocates and veterans' groups, warn that the change would significantly limit reproductive healthcare access for veterans, potentially deterring them from seeking VA care. The VA defends the proposal as a return to historical norms and argues that the Biden-era expansion was legally questionable without explicit congressional authorization. The public comment period for the proposed rule is open until September 3, 2025, after which the final rule could be implemented.