United States: The Pentagon is facilitating the forces’ access to abortions

defense minister United StateLloyd Austin ordered Thursday in Armed forces facilitating the access of its members to miscarriageWhile a growing number of states are agreeing to restrictions on this measure.

In June, it was Supreme court He abolished the federal right to abortion and returned to the states the decision on whether or not to allow it. Since then, dozens of countries have restricted or banned voluntary termination of pregnancy.

This makes it difficult to access miscarriage for members Armed forcesforcing those who wish to have an abortion to take time off and travel to places where the procedure is legal.

resolution Supreme court “Access to reproductive health care has decreased, affecting recruitment, retention and readiness across the force,” said an official from the Ministry of Health. pentagonal to reporters.

“This has created complexity, confusion and anxiety for service members and their families, who may now need to travel long distances to receive reproductive health care,” he added.

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Federal law prohibits Defense Department Financing or providing services to miscarriageExcept in cases of danger to the mother’s life. However, Austin released a memo outlining further steps to facilitate access.

He asked the ministry to develop a policy allowing troops to take administrative leave to receive “exposed reproductive health care” and to set travel and transportation allowances to help them cover costs.

The memo also calls for steps to be taken to increase the privacy of its members.

These include extending the time they have to inform their leaders that they are pregnant and healthcare providers in Defense Department They cannot disclose reproductive health information to leaders.

But there are exceptions to both, such as “occupational health hazards” in the case of the first measure, and “task harms” in the second.

Austin also wants to protect health care providers from Defense Department Against legal action resulting from the “performance of their official duties”.

(With information from AFP)