Golden State Today

California Attorney General Rob Bonta has led a coalition of six attorneys general in requesting a meeting with Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Doug Collins and Office of Management and Budget Director Russell Vought. This meeting aims to discuss concerns regarding a federal rule that ensures veterans and their families access to important reproductive health services. The rule, known as "Reproductive Health Services," allows for the provision of abortion counseling for all pregnancies and abortion services if the patient's life or health is in danger, or in cases of self-reported rape or incest. The Trump Administration is currently reviewing this rule and has held discussions with other related stakeholders.

Attorney General Bonta stated, "My fellow attorneys general and I are requesting a meeting with Veterans Affairs Secretary Collins and OMB Director Vought because we strongly believe that our veterans and their families deserve access to necessary healthcare services — including abortion care." Bonta expressed concerns about the Trump Administration potentially eliminating or rescinding these protections, emphasizing the importance of abortion care, especially in cases of rape, incest, or risk to the woman's life or health.

Following the U.S. Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, the Department of Veterans Affairs announced an interim version of this rule on September 2, 2022. Subsequently, Attorney General Bonta led a coalition of 23 attorneys general in supporting the VA's steps to enhance reproductive freedom. The rule was finalized on March 4, 2024, after public comments were considered. Meanwhile, since the Dobbs decision, 19 states have imposed bans or restrictions on abortion care, with more states proposing additional limitations.

In their letter, the attorneys general emphasize that the rule addresses a vital gap in healthcare, providing veterans and their families with access comparable to that of many civilians. They highlighted that 42% of the 2 million female veterans in the United States use VA healthcare services and are of childbearing age. The letter underlined that many pregnancy and miscarriage complications are emergencies needing prompt treatment, including abortion, to avoid risks to the woman's health or life. Additionally, it acknowledged the serious implications of sexual violence, more prevalent among veterans compared to civilians, and the importance of abortion access in those contexts.

The collective of attorneys general seeks to have a meeting to further discuss the rule's significance for families within their states. Joining Bonta in this effort are attorneys general from Illinois, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, and Washington.

A copy of the letter is available, as well as general background information on OMB meetings.