Victory for Women in the Military: Senate Committee Passes Amendment to Allow Some Abortion Coverage for Servicewomen

(PRESS RELEASE) The Senate Armed Forces Committee voted today to ease insurance coverage restrictions for military servicewomen and allow coverage of abortion for servicewomen who are victims of rape or incest, passing with bipartisan support an amendment to the 2013 National Defense Authorization Act  introduced by Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH).
 
Said Nancy Northup, president and CEO of the Center for Reproductive Rights:
 
“Women serving in the armed forces defend and protect their country every single day, but the federal government has refused to do the same for them when it comes to their basic health needs in a time of crisis.
 
“For years, the federal government has failed servicewomen by allowing this harsh and antiquated policy to stand. Every woman deserves access to the full range of reproductive health services—not just a select few Congress deems appropriate.
 
“We applaud Senator Shaheen and the committee members for taking decisive action to provide women in the military with the coverage they need when facing rape or incest.  Now is the time for the full Congress to follow the committee’s lead.”
 
Last Friday, the House of Representatives enacted its version of the bill, which will likely be negotiated between the two chambers later in this legislative session.