Three policies introduced by the DoD on Feb 16 are set to go into effect within 30 days of publication. According to a press release, these policies will change how the DoD handles "command notification of pregnancy, administrative absence for non-covered reproductive health care, and travel allowances for non-covered reproductive health care."
The first policy gives women in service until 20 weeks gestation to inform their commanders that they are pregnant. The policy advises women seeking abortions to consult with a DoD health care provider who can place them on temporary non-deployable status until after the abortion is complete.
The second policy provides 21 days of administrative absence for non-covered reproductive health care (such as elective abortions). A service member can also request 21 days of administrative absence to accompany a dependent to a non-covered abortion.
The third policy provides transportation allowances to pay the transportation expenses of servicemembers and their dependents to access non-covered procedures not offered in the local area. These allowance funds can cover lodging, transportation, and meals.
These are just the most recent attempts by the Biden administration to use the federal rulemaking process to advance the pro-abortion agenda and undermine the laws of pro-life states. Biden has also abused this power to offer illegal abortions at VA facilities.
The DoD press release announcing the policies stated, "Our Service members and their families do not control where they are stationed, and due to the nature of military service, are frequently required to travel or move to meet operational requirements. The efforts taken by the Department today will not only ensure that Service members and their families are afforded time and flexibility to make private health care decisions, but will also ensure Service members are able to access non-covered reproductive health care regardless of where they are stationed."
