Pentagon Reverses Policy on Travel Reimbursements for Reproductive Health Care

The Pentagon ended a travel reimbursement program for abortions and fertility treatments in a major policy change. The Biden administration implemented the policy in reaction to the 2022 Supreme Court ruling allowing states to regulate or ban abortion. On Thursday night, advocacy organizations and Democratic politicians revealed the Pentagon's shift without public notice.

The original regulation was meant to help military members in states without abortion providers. It provided travel compensation for reproductive health care that the military did not offer to ensure service personnel had access to what they needed to stay healthy and ready.

Post-Trump executive order "Enforcing the Hyde Amendment," the Pentagon canceled the policy. The Hyde Amendment prohibits federal funding for abortions except in cases of rape, incest, or mother-life danger. The Biden administration contended that travel reimbursements did not directly subsidize abortions and did not violate the Hyde Amendment. Still, the Pentagon's reversal follows Trump's demand to limit elective abortion funding.

The travel reimbursement policy was used 12 times in March 2024, totaling $44,791. Democratic lawmakers and advocacy organizations say the policy's reversal harms military members' health and well-being, despite its minor impact.

Senator Tommy Tuberville, who delayed military advancements over the policy, praised the Pentagon's decision as a triumph for “common sense” under Trump. The Pentagon says the repeal is in response to the new executive order but hasn't elaborated.

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