logo
Brief Publisher Logo
FACT BRIEF

Does the Defense Department facilitate abortions for members of the military?

By Tom Kertscher
View this fact brief on Wisconsin Watch
Copy link
email
Copy featured image
email
YES

The Defense Department has policies to help service members obtain reproductive health care, including abortion.

The policies, announced Feb. 16, 2023, reinforce a “commitment to taking care of our people, ensuring their health and well-being, and ensuring the force remains ready and resilient."

U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Wisconsin, alluded to the policies in a Sept. 14 interview.

To obtain an abortion or other reproductive care not available locally, service members can request time off without losing pay or being charged for administrative leave, and receive reimbursement for transportation and other travel expenses.

Politico reported Sept. 15 that U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-Alabama, is blocking more than 300 senior military promotions until the Defense Department rescinds the policy, which has been used by about a dozen women.

Twenty-one states ban abortion or restrict it earlier in pregnancy than the standard set by Roe v. Wade, according to The New York Times.

This fact brief is responsive to conversations such as this one.
Sources
US Department of Defense DoD Releases Policies to Ensure Access to Non-Covered Reproductive Health Care
Fox News Sen. Ron Johnson: McConnell is completely out of step with our conference
US Department of Defense Defense secretary memo: Administrative Absence for Non-Covered Reproductive Health Care
US Department of Defense Defense Department memo: Military Advisory Panel Item 86-22(R), Paragraph 033013 'Travel for NonCovered Reproductive Health Care Services'
Politico Troops avoid abortion travel policy fueling Tuberville blockade
New York Times Tracking Abortion Bans Across the Country
ABOUT THE CONTRIBUTOR
Wisconsin Watch
Wisconsin Watch, the news arm of the nonpartisan, nonprofit Wisconsin Center for Investigative Journalism, increases the quality and quantity of investigative reporting in Wisconsin, while training current and future investigative journalists. Its work fosters an informed citizenry and strengthens democracy.
FACT BRIEF BY
Brief Publisher Logo
Latest fact briefs from Wisconsin Watch
facebook
twitter
email
email
About fact briefs published on Gigafact
Fact briefs are short, credibly sourced summaries that offer “yes/no” answers in response to claims found online. They rely on publicly available, often primary source data and documents. Fact briefs are created by contributors to Gigafact —a nonprofit project looking to expand participation in fact-checking and protect the democratic process. See all fact briefs here.