Posted on Jul 9, 2022
Congress Considering New Leave Rules for Sailors, Marines Seeking Abortions - USNI News
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Congress is considering new legislation that would remove a barrier for sailors and Marines to get time off for abortions.
Currently, the Navy and Marine Corps do not have a leave policy that would allow pregnant service members to get abortions, especially those that require leaving the state. Although Tricare, the military insurance, covers abortions when the mother’s life is at risk or in the case of rape, federal funding cannot be used for abortions, meaning most service members must go elsewhere for the services.
For sailors stationed in Texas, which has a total abortion ban, this would mean crossing state lines. Florida, home to Naval Air Station Pensacola, has a 15-week ban in place, although it is currently being challenged in court.
The Army and the Air Force both have policies that prevent a commander from denying leave for pregnancy termination, but the Navy and Marine Corps have not adopted similar policies.
Currently, the Navy and Marine Corps do not have a leave policy that would allow pregnant service members to get abortions, especially those that require leaving the state. Although Tricare, the military insurance, covers abortions when the mother’s life is at risk or in the case of rape, federal funding cannot be used for abortions, meaning most service members must go elsewhere for the services.
For sailors stationed in Texas, which has a total abortion ban, this would mean crossing state lines. Florida, home to Naval Air Station Pensacola, has a 15-week ban in place, although it is currently being challenged in court.
The Army and the Air Force both have policies that prevent a commander from denying leave for pregnancy termination, but the Navy and Marine Corps have not adopted similar policies.
Congress Considering New Leave Rules for Sailors, Marines Seeking Abortions - USNI News
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Posted 2 y ago
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1.) How Ruth Bader Ginsburg Helped End the Military's Policy of Forced Abortion
“Before 1970, women serving in the military were discharged for becoming mothers. This meant that pregnant women in uniform were forced to make a choice: Leave the military to become mothers or risk an illegal (and then-dangerous) abortion.”
“Ginsburg won a stay for Struck's discharge, arguing that the only conspicuous difference between men and women was that "only women become pregnant; and if you subject a woman to disadvantageous treatment on the basis of her pregnant status, ... you would be denying her equal treatment under the law."
SOURCE : https://www.military.com/history/how-ruth-bader-ginsburg-helped-end-militarys-policy-of-forced-abortion.html/amp
2.) The original documents are located in Box 9, folder “Defense Department - Abortion Policy (1)” of the Philip Buchen Files at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library.
SOURCE : https://www.fordlibrarymuseum.gov/library/document/0019/4520504.pdf
3.) The US air force gave her a choice: your baby or your job
“As a new culture war rages around abortion, scholars believe a 1970s case taken up by Ruth Bader Ginsburg shows the lengths the US government has gone to in the past to control women’s sexuality”
SOURCE : https://amp.theguardian.com/world/2019/dec/13/us-air-force-pregnancy-susan-struck-abortion-motherhood-america
“Before 1970, women serving in the military were discharged for becoming mothers. This meant that pregnant women in uniform were forced to make a choice: Leave the military to become mothers or risk an illegal (and then-dangerous) abortion.”
“Ginsburg won a stay for Struck's discharge, arguing that the only conspicuous difference between men and women was that "only women become pregnant; and if you subject a woman to disadvantageous treatment on the basis of her pregnant status, ... you would be denying her equal treatment under the law."
SOURCE : https://www.military.com/history/how-ruth-bader-ginsburg-helped-end-militarys-policy-of-forced-abortion.html/amp
2.) The original documents are located in Box 9, folder “Defense Department - Abortion Policy (1)” of the Philip Buchen Files at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library.
SOURCE : https://www.fordlibrarymuseum.gov/library/document/0019/4520504.pdf
3.) The US air force gave her a choice: your baby or your job
“As a new culture war rages around abortion, scholars believe a 1970s case taken up by Ruth Bader Ginsburg shows the lengths the US government has gone to in the past to control women’s sexuality”
SOURCE : https://amp.theguardian.com/world/2019/dec/13/us-air-force-pregnancy-susan-struck-abortion-motherhood-america
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PO1 William "Chip" Nagel
..."The Department of Defense is currently reviewing its policies in light of the Supreme Court ruling and may issue further guidance, according to the memo.
“This decision will have significant implications for our Service members, dependents, other beneficiaries of DoD health care services, and civilian employees, as well as the readiness of the Force,” Cisneros wrote in the memo. “As Secretary Austin has made clear, nothing is more important that the health and well-being of our Service members, the civilian workforce, and DoD families, and we are committed to taking care of all of our people and ensuring that the entire Force remains ready and resilient.”
..."The Department of Defense is currently reviewing its policies in light of the Supreme Court ruling and may issue further guidance, according to the memo.
“This decision will have significant implications for our Service members, dependents, other beneficiaries of DoD health care services, and civilian employees, as well as the readiness of the Force,” Cisneros wrote in the memo. “As Secretary Austin has made clear, nothing is more important that the health and well-being of our Service members, the civilian workforce, and DoD families, and we are committed to taking care of all of our people and ensuring that the entire Force remains ready and resilient.”
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