Power to Decide Statement on House Passage of National Defense Authorization Act

(WASHINGTON, D.C.) - Yesterday, the U.S. House of Representatives voted 281 - 140 to pass a Fiscal Year 2025 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), with the majority of Democrats voting against the bill. The House-passed NDAA includes a provision to expand no co-pay coverage of contraception to all servicemembers and their families, something Power to Decide has long supported. However, the bill also includes a harmful provision that could result in a ban on gender-affirming care for military family members.

In response, Power to Decide CEO and practicing OB-GYN, Dr. Raegan McDonald-Mosley, released the following statement:

“As an organization dedicated to achieving reproductive well-being for all, including servicemembers and their families, we are disappointed in the passage of the U.S. House of Representative’s version of the National Defense Authorization Act. While this version of the bill would make contraception more accessible, the language targeting transgender youth in military families is unacceptable.

“As an OB-GYN, I’ve seen first hand what true access to health care means for all people. Because of my experience as a provider, I know that it is critical that all people, including young people, can access the health care they need without mounting obstacles, stigma, or shame. For years, Power to Decide and a coalition of sexual and reproductive health, rights, and justice organizations have worked with congressional champions to achieve policies that improve reproductive well-being for military personnel and their families. We extend huge gratitude to those champions in Congress who have fought every step of the way to build upon that progress.

“As the NDAA moves to the Senate, we call on Senators to reject this bill in its current form and any and all efforts to target, dehumanize and erase transgender people. Congress should be focused on supporting the health of all Americans, including military personnel and their families. If this version of the NDAA became law, it could force servicemembers to choose between their career and their children. We reject these attacks on transgender Americans and urge Senators who will soon receive this bill to do the same.”

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Power to Decide is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that works to advance sexual and reproductive well-being for all by providing trusted information, expanding access to quality services, and catalyzing culture change.