Bill Overview
Title: MARCH for Military Servicemembers Act
Description: This bill repeals the restriction on utilizing Department of Defense funds and facilities for performing abortions. The restriction only allows such funds and facilities to be used for abortions in cases of rape, incest, or where the mother's life is endangered.
Sponsors: Rep. Speier, Jackie [D-CA-14]
Target Audience
Population: Female military servicemembers of reproductive age and their families
Estimated Size: 200000
- The bill impacts military servicemembers who are females of reproductive age, as they are the direct beneficiaries of reproductive health services.
- There are approximately 200,000 active duty female servicemembers in the U.S. military, which estimates show are within the reproductive age range.
- Globally, there are tens of thousands of female servicemembers in allied countries who could also be stationed at bases using U.S. Department of Defense facilities and could be impacted.
- Military policy changes often affect servicemembers' families, who may also face impacts related to the reproductive health of servicewomen.
- Current laws restrict using DoD funds for abortions except in extreme cases, affecting all female servicemembers globally based at U.S. military facilities.
Reasoning
- The policy is geared toward female military service members and potentially benefits others at U.S. military facilities globally, but the primary impact is on U.S. servicewomen.
- Within the population, not all servicewomen will require these services, but increased access can provide peace of mind and indirectly improve wellbeing.
- The policy's budget may provide limited support given the potential size of the affected population, and thus its effect may vary based on location and individual circumstances.
- Consider family dynamics, where the well-being of family members also depends on the health and well-being of the service member.
Simulated Interviews
Army Specialist (Fort Hood, Texas)
Age: 27 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy gives me peace of mind knowing there are more options available if I ever need them.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 7 |
Air Force Sergeant (Ramstein Air Base, Germany)
Age: 31 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Access to full reproductive care abroad is crucial for my decision-making as a single service member.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 8 |
Navy Petty Officer (Naval Base San Diego, California)
Age: 24 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I’m relieved that the policy is in place; it will ease the burden on my family if complications arise in the future.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 7 |
Marine Corps Officer (Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California)
Age: 35 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Knowing there is comprehensive care available allows me to focus more on my duties without additional worries.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 8 |
Army Physician (Fort Bragg, North Carolina)
Age: 29 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 2/20
Statement of Opinion:
- As a physician, I see enhanced access to reproductive care as a critical healthcare improvement.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 8 |
Navy Pilot (Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii)
Age: 40 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 1.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- While this policy doesn’t affect me directly, it supports those on bases worldwide, promoting overall wellbeing within our community.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 8 |
Army Private (Fort Campbell, Kentucky)
Age: 22 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The policy is reassuring to me as a young service member new to the military environment.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 8 |
Senior Defense Analyst (Pentagon, Washington D.C.)
Age: 50 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 9
Duration of Impact: 1.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- From a policy perspective, this change is crucial for ensuring service members have comprehensive healthcare, although it doesn’t affect my personal choices.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 2 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 9 |
Air Force Airman (RAF Lakenheath, UK)
Age: 26 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 2/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The policy significantly reduces stress about medical options available while I'm overseas.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 8 |
Army Captain (Fort Carson, Colorado)
Age: 33 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Having these services available provides a safety net for my family.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 8 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $50000000 (Low: $30000000, High: $70000000)
Year 2: $52000000 (Low: $31000000, High: $73000000)
Year 3: $53000000 (Low: $32000000, High: $74000000)
Year 5: $55000000 (Low: $33000000, High: $76000000)
Year 10: $60000000 (Low: $35000000, High: $80000000)
Year 100: $100000000 (Low: $58000000, High: $135000000)
Key Considerations
- The policy hinges on providing access to comprehensive reproductive care facilities within military installations globally, catering primarily to active duty female servicemembers.
- Evaluating changes in healthcare costs and potential implementations at various military bases could affect scoped estimates.
- The legislative shift might face legal challenges or experiential pushbacks internal to DoD health facilities or externally through public channels.
- While the fiscal cost is clear, social costs and benefits regarding service members' overall well-being may contrast starkly depending on perspectives.