On Wednesday the House Armed Services Committee denied servicewomen and military dependents the right to privately funded abortions in overseas military health facilities. During the markup of HR 2586, the National Defense Authorization Act of FY 2002, Representative Loretta Sanchez (D-CA) proposed an amendment that would repeal the ban on abortions in overseas military health facilities. Her amendment was defeated by a 35-23 vote.
The health care coverage provided for U.S. military personnel and dependents is funded through the Department of Defense, which only provides funding for abortion in cases of rape, incest or life endangerment.
