Access to Reproductive Care for Servicemembers Act
The Access to Reproductive Care for Servicemembers Act would require the military to treat certain reproductive health services as time-sensitive and to grant leave for service members or their dependents to obtain those services. Specifically, the bill applies to “non-covered reproductive health care,” including abortion care not permitted under existing DoD policy (as defined) and a broad set of assisted reproductive technologies (ART) such as IVF, egg/sperm retrieval, intrauterine insemination, and related procedures. The Secretary concerned would approve such leave without requiring disclosure of the exact nature of the care to the member’s command, and would reimburse travel and related costs if local access is unavailable. The bill also emphasizes privacy protections and prohibits adverse actions against those who request or use this leave. Overall, it aims to reduce barriers created by state restrictions on abortion and access to fertility care for military members and their families, while safeguarding privacy and health outcomes.
Key Points
- 1Time-sensitive leave for non-covered reproductive health care: The Secretary concerned must treat non-covered reproductive health care (including abortions not allowed under 1093 and ART) as time-sensitive and approve leave for the member or dependent to obtain care.
- 2Privacy protections: Members do not have to disclose to a commanding officer the specific time-sensitive care or procedure being received during such leave.
- 3Travel reimbursement: The Secretary concerned must reimburse eligible costs when timely access is not available locally, including meals, lodging, round-trip transportation, and the costs of escorts or attendants.
- 4Privacy of medical information: DoD health care providers and commanding officers must protect the member’s privacy to the greatest extent practicable in these matters.
- 5Non-discrimination and retaliation protections: No service member may face adverse action for requesting, taking, providing, or approving leave under this provision. The bill defines non-covered reproductive health care to include abortion not covered by 1093 and a broad range of ART services (egg/sperm retrieval, IVF, IUI, etc.).