Legislation Search

H.R. 1742: Access to Reproductive Care for Servicemembers Act

This bill, titled the Access to Reproductive Care for Servicemembers Act, aims to improve access to reproductive health care for members of the Armed Forces, particularly regarding abortion and fertility care. Here are the key points:

Objective

The main goal of the bill is to establish policies that allow military personnel and their dependents to take leave for reproductive health care needs, including abortion and assisted reproductive technology, without facing obstacles or penalties from their superiors.

Key Findings

Many states have imposed bans on abortion access following recent Supreme Court decisions, creating barriers for military families seeking care.
Access to reproductive care is critical for the health and well-being of military members, and delays can lead to significant personal, financial, and social consequences.
Members of the Armed Forces are often stationed in areas with restricted access to abortion services, complicating their ability to seek care.
Some military policies may restrict a member's ability to take leave for these procedures based on the discretion of unit commanders.

Provisions for Leave

The bill requires that military members be granted leave for non-covered reproductive health care, classifying it as time-sensitive, thereby making it easier for them to secure necessary services.
Members taking leave for reproductive health care won't have to disclose the specific reasons to their commanding officers.
Provisions are included for the reimbursement of travel-related expenses incurred while seeking non-covered reproductive health services, including:
- Meals and lodging.
- Transportation to and from the care location.
- Travel costs for any necessary escorts or attendants.

Privacy and Non-Retaliation

Health care providers and commanding officers are mandated to protect the privacy of military members when they take leave for these health care services.
No member shall face adverse actions for requesting, taking, or approving leave for reproductive health care as outlined in the bill.

Definitions

The term non-covered reproductive health care includes:

Abortion care not covered under existing military healthcare provisions.
Assisted reproductive technologies such as:
- Ovarian stimulation and egg retrieval.
- Sperm collection and processing.
- Intrauterine insemination.
- In vitro fertilization and various transfer techniques.

Impact on Military Personnel

The bill recognizes that the restrictions on reproductive health care access disproportionately affect specific groups within the military, including junior enlisted members and various minority communities. The inability to access these services may impact the Armed Forces' capacity to recruit and retain personnel, thus affecting military readiness.