Servicewomen to Receive Equal Health Care Access Under Defense Bill, Ending Discrimination Against Rape, Incest Victims

NEW YORK, Dec. 19, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- A bipartisan congressional conference committee agreed to include Sen. Jeanne Shaheen 's (D-N.H.) amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2013. The inclusion and passage of this bill would lift a longstanding ban on abortion coverage for military women and their dependants who become pregnant as a result of rape or incest.

"The inclusion of the Shaheen amendment is critical in providing servicewomen with the same health care coverage as that of the civilian federal employees that they fight to protect," said Anika Rahman , president and CEO of the Ms. Foundation for Women. "The Ms. Foundation applauds this move, ending decades of discrimination against military victims of rape and incest."

The House is expected to vote on the final version of the NDAA later this week.

The Ms. Foundation for Women fights to eliminate barriers for every woman in the U.S. For 40 years, we have worked tirelessly to secure women's rights and freedoms with a special commitment to building the power of low-income, immigrant and women of color. At our core, we are advocates giving a voice to women to elevate their most pressing issues. We're continually investing funds, time, expertise and training in more than 100 trailblazing organizations nationwide to secure a better future for ourselves, our families and our communities.

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SOURCE Ms. Foundation for Women