(Washington, D.C.) The National Women’s Law Center (NWLC) today applauded the introduction of the Military Access to Reproductive Care and Health (MARCH) for Military Women Act by Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D – N.Y.). This legislation would address a long-standing inequity faced by military women seeking abortion services.
The MARCH for Military Women Act would lift the current ban on abortion at military facilities. Current law forbids military medical facilities from providing abortion services except in cases of rape, incest, or life endangerment—even when the woman pays with her own funds.
“Current law places significant burdens on women bravely serving around the world,” said NWLC Co-President Nancy Duff Campbell. “Military women, especially those serving abroad, rely on military facilities for their health care services but are prohibited from receiving the same comprehensive care as their civilian counterparts, even if they pay out-of-pocket. Senator Gillibrand’s MARCH for Military Women Act would fix this long-standing inequality.”
“Senator Gillibrand’s bill would improve the health and lives of women who put their lives on the line for our country,” added NWLC Co-President Marcia D. Greenberger. “The Center urges the Senate to fulfill its responsibility to protect the health, including reproductive health, of women in the military by supporting the MARCH Act for Military Women.”
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