Troops can take three weeks off to travel for abortions, IVF treatment
By Meghann Myers
Thursday, Feb 16
New policies restore abortion access, albeit with travel, for troops stationed in states with bans. (Senior Airman Jami K. Lancette/Air Force graphic)
The Defense Department dropped a trio of new policies Thursday aimed at closing some of the gaps that the overturn of Roe v. Wade opened up in service members’ ability to access reproductive health care.
They include fully paid travel expenses for troops who have to go out of state to obtain an abortion and up to three weeks of leave, including to accompany a dependent or spouse, whether it’s for an abortion or a fertility treatment. The new regulations also give service members until 20 weeks to notify commanders of a pregnancy.
The services have 30 days to enact them, according to a release accompanying the policies.
“Service members and families are required to travel and move to meet the needs of the nation. And while they certainly have a voice in the process of where they’re assigned, ultimately, decisions are made in the best interest of the department’s mission requirements,” a senior defense official, who was not authorized to speak on the record, told Military Times during a Thursday interview. “And we strongly believe that these moves should not impact their access to essential health care. These policies that we’re releasing today will help ensure long-term that we’re able to recruit, retain and maintain the readiness of a highly qualified force.”
https://www.militarytimes.com/news/your-military/2023/02/16/troops-can-take-three-weeks-off-to-travel-for-abortions-ivf-treatment/
