Defense Bill Includes Provision Lifting the Ban on Military Abortion Coverage in Cases of Rape and Incest

(PRESS RELEASE)
Conferees from the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives have advanced a reconciled version of the FY2013 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) that
includes a provision introduced by Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) lifting restrictions on insurance coverage of abortion care in cases of rape and incest
for servicewomen and military family members.

Earlier this month, the Senate voted 98-0 to pass the NDAA with the Shaheen Amendment included, while the House version retained strict prohibitions on
abortion coverage for servicewomen—allowing coverage only when a woman’s life is at risk. The NDAA conference report will now head for a final floor vote
in both chambers before heading to President Obama’s desk for his signature.

Said Nancy Northup, president and CEO of the Center for Reproductive Rights: 

“Today is a huge step in the right direction in ensuring that servicewomen and military families are guaranteed the same reproductive rights as any
other American. All women have a right to a full range of reproductive health care coverage—including abortion care in the case of rape or
incest. 

“We commend the Congress for finally moving to reverse this callous policy and end this blatant discrimination against America’s brave servicewomen
that has prevailed for more than three decades.”

Since 1981, federal health care coverage of abortion has only been available for servicewomen and military family members when a woman’s life is at risk—in
all other cases, including rape and incest, women must pay out-of-pocket for such reproductive health care. The Shaheen Amendment places Department of
Defense rules on abortion in line with other federal policies by giving women in uniform who are the victims of rape and incest the right to access
affordable reproductive health care.