Overview
- The Justice Department’s Office of Legal Counsel on Dec. 18 concluded federal law bars the VA from providing abortions or abortion counseling except in life‑threatening situations.
- VA press secretary Peter Kasperowicz said the department is complying immediately, halting procedures and counseling across its nationwide system.
- An internal Dec. 22 memo from VA health leadership reinstated the full exclusion and instructed networks to allow only emergency care such as for ectopic pregnancy or miscarriage.
- The action implements the policy before the administration’s August proposal to formally revoke the 2022 rule is finalized, with the rulemaking still in progress after a public comment period.
- The change affects veterans and beneficiaries, including CHAMPVA enrollees, drawing sharp criticism from advocates and lawmakers who cite risks for millions served by more than 1,300 VA facilities.