CatholicVote obtained a leaked memo and a VA staff training video showing the department's pro-abortion activism. The training video described abortions as "opportunities for growth," and it invites staff to encourage abortion in a "sensitive, inclusive, and affirming" way.
The memo notes GOP legislators' concerns that the VA's pro-abortion policies allow the VA to offer abortion when there is a threat to the mother's "health." The VA can interpret "health" broadly and subjectively. If a veteran or dependent claims to have a mental health concern, the VA is encouraged to offer taxpayer-funded abortion. The VA is not required to refer the mother for mental health support, treatment, or guidance.
President Biden's pro-abortion VA policy disregards a 1992 law prohibiting the VA from committing abortion. It also ignores Hyde Amendment language prohibiting most taxpayer-funded abortions.
Between September 2022 and February 2023, the VA funded 34 abortions. Twenty-four were provided under the subjective "health" exception, seven were provided because of rape, and one was provided due to danger to life.
