Nurse sues to halt abortions at VA hospitals after supervisor orders her to participate

In September, the Biden administration mandated that abortions be committed at Veterans Affairs (VA) hospitals — approving abortions for pregnant veterans and their dependents in hospitals on federal property, even in pro-life states where preborn children are protected. But a new lawsuit is seeking to have that rule overturned.

Stephanie Carter is an Army veteran, and a nurse practitioner at the Olin E. Teague Veterans’ Center in Temple, Texas. On Tuesday, news broke that she is suing the Department of Veterans Affairs over the abortion mandate, arguing that it violates her beliefs. The current rule does not allow for religious exemptions, according to Carter, who said her supervisor refused her request to opt out of handling and distributing abortion pills.

First Liberty Institute

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We are suing the Department of Veterans Affairs for violating our client’s religious convictions. Stephanie Carter doesn’t want anything to do with abortions.

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10:01 PM · Dec 14, 2022

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The lawsuit was filed on Carter’s behalf by the First Liberty Institute. “It is unconscionable that the Biden administration would force health care workers at VA facilities to violate their consciences,” Danielle Runyan, senior counsel, told the Military Times. “The VA should be focused on caring for the men and women who bravely served to protect our country, not on performing illegal abortions.”

Terrence Hayes, a spokesperson for the VA, told Military.com that they remain committed to keeping abortion available. “That is our commitment to women veterans as they deserve nothing less than access to world-class reproductive care when they need it most,” he said. “That’s what our nation owes them, and that’s what we at VA will deliver.”

Meanwhile, Sen. Tommy Tuberville, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, is threatening action over a VA policy funding travel for employee abortions. Tuberville said he would block all Department of Defense nominees if the policy is upheld, as it amounts to forcing taxpayers to subsidize abortion. “As six states and the District of Columbia have no abortion restrictions, your policy would force taxpayers to finance access to abortions without protections other states have duly enacted such as waiting periods and prohibitions on late-term abortions,” he wrote. “Like me, many Americans find abortions morally repugnant.”