H.R. 4876: Reproductive Freedom for Veterans Act
Sponsor
Julia Brownley
Democrat · CA-26
Bill Progress
Latest Action · Mar 18, 2026
Committee Hearings Held
Veterans' VA care would include abortion services
Why it matters
If you get your healthcare through the VA, H.R. 4876 would make abortion, counseling, and medication part of that coverage for eligible veterans and certain family members. The bill moves that access from agency policy into federal law.
H.R. 4876 would require the Department of Veterans Affairs to provide abortion and related care as part of the health services it already furnishes to eligible people. The bill explicitly includes abortion, related care, counseling, and medication — not just procedures.
The coverage would apply to two groups already tied to VA health benefits: certain veterans and certain people who already qualify for VA family-related benefits. The bill does not create a new public program or a new class of veterans; it adds abortion-related care to existing VA medical benefits.
That matters because it would make abortion coverage a legal requirement inside the VA system instead of something that could be narrowed or expanded through internal policy. If enacted, VA hospitals and clinics would have to treat this as part of the care they provide to covered patients.
The bill is also narrow. It does not include a funding amount, a rollout deadline, or new penalties if the VA falls short, so the practical effect would depend on how the department implements it after passage.
H.R. 4876 Bill Summary
What H.R. 4876 actually does.
Abortion care becomes required VA coverage
The bill says the VA must include abortion and related care in the hospital care and medical services it provides to covered individuals.
Medication and counseling are included too
The bill does not stop at procedures. It specifically includes counseling, medication, and other related services as part of the required care.
Coverage follows existing VA eligibility rules
The bill applies to certain veterans already covered under existing VA health law and to certain people already eligible for VA family-related benefits.
VA policy would become federal law
Instead of leaving abortion access inside the VA to agency policy, the bill would place that requirement directly into statute.
No new funding formula is spelled out
The text provided does not include a specific appropriation, payment formula, or implementation deadline for the VA.
Who benefits from H.R. 4876?
Veterans who use the VA for healthcare
If you already depend on the VA for appointments, prescriptions, and specialist care, H.R. 4876 would add abortion-related services to that same system instead of forcing eligible patients to look elsewhere.
Eligible family members already tied to VA benefits
The bill also reaches certain people who already qualify for VA family-related health benefits, so the impact is not limited to veterans alone.
Patients seeking medication abortion
Because the bill specifically includes medication, eligible patients could receive abortion drugs through VA care if the bill became law.
Patients who need counseling and follow-up care
The bill covers counseling and related care alongside abortion itself, which could let eligible patients receive more of that care within one health system.
Who is affected by H.R. 4876?
Department of Veterans Affairs
The VA would have to treat abortion-related care as part of the health services it is required to provide, not just as an internal policy choice.
VA hospitals, clinics, and care teams
Facilities and providers would likely need new clinical protocols, referral practices, pharmacy procedures, and patient guidance to carry out the bill.
Veterans not covered by existing eligibility rules
The bill does not create a new broad eligibility category, so people outside the VA's existing benefit structure would still be outside this coverage.
Future administrations
If H.R. 4876 became law, future VA leaders would have less room to change abortion coverage through policy alone because the requirement would be in statute.
HR4876 Legislative Journey
House: Committee Action
Mar 18, 2026
Committee Hearings Held
House: Committee Action
Dec 19, 2025
Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
House: Committee Action
Aug 5, 2025
Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
About the Sponsor
Julia Brownley
Democrat, California's 26th congressional district · 13 years in Congress
Committees: Veterans' Affairs, Transportation and Infrastructure, Natural Resources
View full profile →
Cosponsors (143)
All 143 cosponsors are Democrats. Cosponsors represent 36 states: Alabama, Arizona, California, and 33 more.
Eleanor Norton
Democrat · DC
Maxine Dexter
Democrat · OR
Gwen Moore
Democrat · WI
Rashida Tlaib
Democrat · MI
Raja Krishnamoorthi
Democrat · IL
Timothy Kennedy
Democrat · NY
Seth Moulton
Democrat · MA
James McGovern
Democrat · MA
Angie Craig
Democrat · MN
Josh Gottheimer
Democrat · NJ
Deborah Ross
Democrat · NC
Summer Lee
Democrat · PA
Cosponsor Coverage Map
Committee Sponsors
Veterans' Affairs Committee
9 of 24 committee members cosponsored
1 Democrats across this committee haven't cosponsored yet. Mobilize their constituents
What laws does H.R. 4876 change?
1 changes
Sections Amended
Section 1703 of this title); and ``(2) an individual eligible for benefits under subsection (a) of section 1781 of this title.''. (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections at the beginning of such chapter
inserting after the item relating to section 1720L the following new item: ``1720M
H.R. 4876 Quick Facts
- Committee
- Veterans' Affairs
- Chamber
- House
- Policy
- Armed Forces and National Security
- Introduced
- Aug 5, 2025
Committee Hearings Held
Mar 18, 2026
Official Sources
Official bill status, text, actions, and sponsors for the Reproductive Freedom for Veterans Act.
Explains who qualifies for VA health care, which is central to understanding which veterans could receive services under the bill.
Official VA overview of benefits for family members and survivors, relevant because the bill references certain individuals tied to existing family-related VA benefits.
VA’s official reproductive health page provides background on reproductive services within the VA system that the bill would expand in statute.
Official VA pharmacy program information is relevant because the bill expressly includes medication as part of covered abortion-related care.
Official U.S. Code collection for Title 38, which governs veterans’ benefits and contains the chapter the bill would amend.
Official House Office of the Law Revision Counsel page for Chapter 17 of Title 38, the statutory chapter amended by the bill.
Official VA information on women veterans’ health services, relevant to how reproductive care is delivered through VA health programs.
H.R. 4876 Common Questions
Would H.R. 4876 make the VA cover abortion care?
Yes. H.R. 4876 says the VA must include abortion and related care in the health services it provides to covered individuals.
Would abortion medication be included?
Yes. The bill specifically includes medication, along with abortion, counseling, and related services.
Would the VA have to provide abortion counseling too?
Yes. H.R. 4876 explicitly includes counseling as part of the care the VA would have to provide to covered patients.
Who would qualify for care under H.R. 4876?
The bill covers certain veterans already eligible under existing VA health rules and certain people who already qualify for VA family-related benefits.
Would family members be included?
Some would. H.R. 4876 includes certain people who are already eligible for VA family-related health benefits under existing law.
Does the bill create a new veterans' health program?
No. It adds abortion-related care to the VA's existing healthcare system rather than creating a separate new program.
Does H.R. 4876 expand who counts as a veteran?
No. The bill relies on the VA's existing eligibility rules instead of creating a new definition of who qualifies.
Does the bill include new funding or a rollout deadline?
Not in the text provided. H.R. 4876 does not spell out a specific dollar amount or implementation deadline.
Based on H.R. 4876 bill text
H.R. 4876 Bill Text
“To amend title 38, United States Code, to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to provide abortion care, counseling, and related services and medication to certain individuals who receive health care furnished by the Secretary, and for other purposes.”
Source: U.S. Government Publishing Office
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