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Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin announced on Thursday that the Defense Department would offer allowances for travel and transportation to service members seeking abortions.
Austin delivered the news via a memorandum addressed to Senior Pentagon Leadership, Commanders of the Combatant Commands, and Defense Agency and DoD Field Activity Directors, and he instructed them to make those allowances available along with additional privacy protections for individual service members.
The Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization decision has “readiness, recruiting, and retention implications for the force,” Austin’s memo began, noting that a number of service members had voiced concern since the Court’s decision was handed down.
“We also recognize that recent developments may create legal and financial risk for our health care providers as they carry out their lawful federal duties,” Austin continued.
