Access to Reproductive Care Post Dobbs Decision

68%
of IAVA veterans support the VA and DoD ensuring reproductive care access post-Dobbs decision.

Dobb's Decision Impacts National Security

On July 1, 2022, in the wake of the fall of Roe v. Wade, few were thinking about how putting abortion laws in the hands of the states would impact our national security. But overnight, the landscape changed for thousands of troops and their families who were stationed in states with regressive abortion laws and couldn’t just pick up and leave their duty station. With this one decision by the Supreme Court, women veterans who were also in those states couldn’t even turn to the VA if
they had a pregnancy crisis.

In the months following, the Departments of Veterans Affairs and Defense
stepped in to help women veterans and members of the military get access
to greater reproductive care, but not without backlash. The backlash has persisted in Congress, but not because an overwhelming number of
veterans, members of the military and their families are asking for their elected leaders to fight the Administration on this policy change.

How does IAVA contribute to understanding the problem?

When IAVA veteran members were asked if they supported the VA and DoD stepping in to make sure troops, their families and veterans have access to the reproductive care that they need post-Dobbs decision, 68% said they did, while only 20% opposed. Similar to most Americans, IAVA veterans want women in America to have access to the reproductive care they need and deserve, including 60% of male veteran respondents in our most recent member survey.

This is appalling, How can I help?

Donate to support our work

Support our efforts to ensure that all veterans and military families have access to essential reproductive care. Your donation helps us advocate for policies that protect and support their health and well-being.

Become a Veteran Advocate

Commit to supporting veterans and we’ll keep you updated about our important work and let you know how you can help.

How IAVA is fighting

We’ll continue to fight to protect the progress that’s been made since the Supreme Court’s decision in Dobbs v. Jackson, but there’s obviously more work to be done on behalf of our community and America.

Recent Efforts

We're Here for You

Struggling to access care or need guidance? IAVA’s veteran care partners are here to help women veterans get the services they need. Reach out today.

Get Help

More on Improving Services for Women Veterans

While the past few years have been encouraging, with growing interest in ensuring healthcare accessibility for women veterans at the VA, increasing support, and expanding services, there is still much work to be done. Women still report feeling stigmatized or unwelcome at the VA, and the Departmental motto itself is gender-exclusive. As a nation, we must recognize GI Jane as much as GI Joe. It’s past time for the military culture and our nation to embrace this and to recognize, celebrate, and support the service of all veterans.

We need to reach a point where women veterans are envisioned just as readily as men. Congress must act not only to bring equality to VA healthcare for women but also to provide sensible resources like childcare. “Access to Quality Care for Our Veterans” should be gender-blind, as supporting single parents impacts both men and women.

Beth Riesgraf, star of Paramount Network’s hit series 68 Whiskey, partnered with IAVA to shine a light on the unique issues women face during active duty and when transitioning back to civilian life. The goal of the film is to build meaningful support for the Deborah Sampson Act.

Support our veterans today

Veterans aren’t a charity. They’re an investment. Donate to help empower IAVA veterans and ensure their voices are heard.

Donate to IAVA