Congressional Leadership Puts Far Right Ideology Ahead of Military Women's Health

(Washington, DC) – In a stealth maneuver late last night, congressional leaders ensured that far-right ideology prevailed over the health of women serving in the U.S. Armed Forces. House and Senate conferees dropped a provision from the Department of Defense authorization bill that would have ensured access to abortion services for servicewomen and military dependents who are victims of rape or incest.

Elizabeth Cavendish, Interim President of NARAL Pro-Choice America, said: “This ban places yet another obstacle in front of women who are serving their country and who have already suffered a terrible assault. It is particularly troubling at a time when sexual assault is a rising problem within the armed services. This closed-door maneuver is typical of the current Congress, and proves once more that in George Bush’s Washington, anything goes, so long as it serves the interests of the far right wing.”

Cavendish added: “Women who serve their country should be treated with the highest respect and dignity. Repealing the ban would be one small but important step toward rectifying the unacceptable situation for women in the armed forces. Instead, anti-choice legislators put women and families at further risk.”

This important provision would have put servicewomen on equal footing with other recipients of government-provided health services. Current law provides coverage for abortion services in cases of rape or incest to women receiving assistance through the Medicaid program. But a congressionally mandated ban refuses such help to women receiving health care through the Department of Defense. Earlier this year, the Senate gave approval to a bipartisan amendment offered by Senators Barbara Boxer (D-CA) and Olympia Snowe (R-ME) to lift the ban.

A 2003 study found that 30 percent of female U.S. military veterans report having been raped or suffered a rape attempt during their military service. Recent statistics from the Department of Defense indicate that between three and six percent of active-duty women in the military report having been sexually assaulted. The number of reported rape cases has risen from 356 in 1999 to 469 last year.

Contact:
Ted Miller, 202.973.3032