This bill would require the Department of Defense to grant leave to military service members and their dependents who need to travel for abortion care, treating it as a time-sensitive medical procedure that cannot be delayed. The legislation would also require the military to reimburse travel costs when abortion services are not available near a service member's duty location and would protect the privacy of those seeking such care from their commanding officers. The bill prohibits any punishment or retaliation against service members for requesting or taking this leave and prevents commanders from requiring disclosure of the specific medical procedure involved. The bill stems from concerns that state-level abortion bans have created barriers for military families, particularly lower-ranking service members and people of color who already face greater obstacles to healthcare access, and that these restrictions could affect military recruitment and retention.
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