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Pentagon will allow military members to travel to other states for abortions

The Pentagon says it is reviewing its health care policies and procedures to determine the impact of the Supreme Court’s ruling that returned jurisdiction on abortion to the states.

The decision won’t affect the military’s leave policy, however. Service members are allowed to travel at government expense for an abortion if it meets current federal law or at their own expense in all other cases, the Defense Department said.

“Sick leave may be used to cover travel that is necessary to obtain any type of medical treatment,” according to a recent Pentagon memo. “Access to emergency or convalescent leave remains unchanged for all service members.