1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:01,833 morning , the military personnel 2 00:00:01,833 --> 00:00:03,778 subcommittee of the Armed Services 3 00:00:03,778 --> 00:00:05,889 Committee will come to order . I want 4 00:00:05,889 --> 00:00:07,833 to welcome everyone to our hearing 5 00:00:07,990 --> 00:00:10,490 Today to discuss the challenges of 6 00:00:10,490 --> 00:00:12,800 service members that are facing 7 00:00:12,810 --> 00:00:15,950 accessing reproductive health care . 8 00:00:15,960 --> 00:00:18,380 The Supreme Court decision in Dobbs vs 9 00:00:18,380 --> 00:00:20,900 Jackson women's health organization 10 00:00:20,910 --> 00:00:24,120 overturned 50 years of precedent and 11 00:00:24,120 --> 00:00:25,930 took away the established 12 00:00:25,930 --> 00:00:28,360 constitutional right to an abortion . 13 00:00:28,820 --> 00:00:30,820 The court stated that their opinion 14 00:00:30,820 --> 00:00:33,430 merely returned the issue of abortion 15 00:00:33,430 --> 00:00:36,330 to the states and that women can vote 16 00:00:36,330 --> 00:00:38,441 for whom they wish to represent their 17 00:00:38,441 --> 00:00:41,550 values , but service members do not get 18 00:00:41,550 --> 00:00:44,970 to choose where they live . This leaves 19 00:00:44,980 --> 00:00:48,840 230,000 service women who could be 20 00:00:48,850 --> 00:00:51,140 ordered to a state that restricts 21 00:00:51,150 --> 00:00:53,970 bodily autonomy jeopardizing our 22 00:00:53,970 --> 00:00:56,780 recruitment and retention efforts . 23 00:00:57,550 --> 00:00:59,772 There's a map that I want to show you . 24 00:01:06,500 --> 00:01:09,780 This map shows the states that restrict 25 00:01:09,790 --> 00:01:13,590 abortion in red Along with the 26 00:01:13,590 --> 00:01:16,420 number of military installations within 27 00:01:16,420 --> 00:01:20,250 those states . As you can see many 28 00:01:20,260 --> 00:01:23,210 bases are in states where abortion is 29 00:01:23,220 --> 00:01:25,590 or likely will be restricted . In fact , 30 00:01:25,590 --> 00:01:28,130 look at Texas where we have 19 31 00:01:28,130 --> 00:01:30,740 installations and Florida where we have 32 00:01:30,740 --> 00:01:33,170 17 installations . And in both those 33 00:01:33,170 --> 00:01:36,500 states right now , um you can't get an 34 00:01:36,500 --> 00:01:38,710 abortion under virtually any 35 00:01:38,720 --> 00:01:41,840 circumstance One quarter of the women 36 00:01:41,850 --> 00:01:44,130 will have an abortion before the end of 37 00:01:44,130 --> 00:01:46,710 their childbearing years of the service 38 00:01:46,710 --> 00:01:49,043 women currently serving in the military . 39 00:01:49,043 --> 00:01:52,060 We'd expect that more than 50,000 of 40 00:01:52,060 --> 00:01:54,450 them would have an abortion during 41 00:01:54,450 --> 00:01:57,080 their lifetime and for many of them it 42 00:01:57,080 --> 00:01:59,740 will be during their years of military 43 00:01:59,740 --> 00:02:03,250 service even before the Dobbs decision , 44 00:02:03,260 --> 00:02:05,660 abortion access has long been a 45 00:02:05,660 --> 00:02:07,940 struggle in the military , especially 46 00:02:07,950 --> 00:02:10,850 for those overseas and junior enlisted 47 00:02:10,860 --> 00:02:13,610 with lower incomes . Under current law , 48 00:02:13,610 --> 00:02:15,830 D . O . D . Is prohibited from 49 00:02:15,830 --> 00:02:19,050 providing abortions except in cases of 50 00:02:19,050 --> 00:02:22,760 rape , incest or a threat to the life 51 00:02:22,770 --> 00:02:25,770 of the mother . These exceptions are so 52 00:02:25,770 --> 00:02:28,060 narrow that D . O . D . Has confirmed 53 00:02:28,060 --> 00:02:30,840 to me That only between 54 00:02:30,850 --> 00:02:34,840 11 and 21 service members have 55 00:02:34,850 --> 00:02:38,480 undergone an abortion at a military 56 00:02:38,490 --> 00:02:41,860 facility each year over the past 57 00:02:41,870 --> 00:02:45,500 five years . Think about 58 00:02:45,500 --> 00:02:49,330 that . That means the vast 59 00:02:49,330 --> 00:02:51,497 majority of service members are forced 60 00:02:51,497 --> 00:02:53,608 to pay out of pocket not only for the 61 00:02:53,608 --> 00:02:55,890 care they need , but also for other 62 00:02:55,890 --> 00:02:59,020 expenses , including lodging , gas or 63 00:02:59,030 --> 00:03:01,560 airfare and childcare . The Dobbs 64 00:03:01,560 --> 00:03:03,850 decision will no doubt exacerbate these 65 00:03:03,850 --> 00:03:06,072 challenges , forcing service members to 66 00:03:06,072 --> 00:03:08,830 travel longer distances and shoulder 67 00:03:08,840 --> 00:03:12,140 greater financial burdens . That is 68 00:03:12,150 --> 00:03:16,100 if they are granted leave in the first 69 00:03:16,100 --> 00:03:18,730 place , let me be clear . It is 70 00:03:18,760 --> 00:03:20,900 inhumane to force women to remain 71 00:03:20,900 --> 00:03:24,050 pregnant against their will . It is 72 00:03:24,060 --> 00:03:26,171 arrogant to think that we know better 73 00:03:26,171 --> 00:03:28,393 than a woman or her doctor about what's 74 00:03:28,393 --> 00:03:30,620 best for her body . It is wrong to 75 00:03:30,620 --> 00:03:33,620 create government mandated pregnancies 76 00:03:34,170 --> 00:03:37,750 and I feel so strongly that 77 00:03:37,760 --> 00:03:41,160 this is going to discourage women 78 00:03:41,690 --> 00:03:45,490 to enlist to serve and to remain in the 79 00:03:45,490 --> 00:03:49,400 military . It will become if it's not , 80 00:03:49,410 --> 00:03:51,910 if it hasn't already become both a 81 00:03:51,920 --> 00:03:55,420 recruitment and retention issue . You 82 00:03:55,420 --> 00:03:57,990 can put that down access to abortion 83 00:03:57,990 --> 00:04:00,260 care is essential to a woman's health 84 00:04:00,270 --> 00:04:02,159 and central to their economic and 85 00:04:02,159 --> 00:04:05,020 social well being the ability to access 86 00:04:05,020 --> 00:04:07,242 and abortion access and abortion should 87 00:04:07,242 --> 00:04:10,040 not depend on how much money you have , 88 00:04:10,050 --> 00:04:12,290 where you live or where you are 89 00:04:12,290 --> 00:04:15,280 stationed . That's why I've introduced 90 00:04:15,280 --> 00:04:17,830 the march for service members act to 91 00:04:17,830 --> 00:04:19,997 enable D . O . D . To provide abortion 92 00:04:19,997 --> 00:04:23,110 care once and for all . My office has 93 00:04:23,110 --> 00:04:25,110 been inundated with outreach from 94 00:04:25,110 --> 00:04:27,166 former and current service members , 95 00:04:27,166 --> 00:04:30,130 anxious and despondent about being 96 00:04:30,130 --> 00:04:32,186 stationed in states where they can't 97 00:04:32,186 --> 00:04:34,690 control their bodies . One army 98 00:04:34,690 --> 00:04:36,801 psychiatrist said to me and I quote , 99 00:04:36,810 --> 00:04:40,140 even I and some of my female physician 100 00:04:40,140 --> 00:04:43,270 peers in the military with the relative 101 00:04:43,280 --> 00:04:45,460 privilege of being officers and 102 00:04:45,460 --> 00:04:49,190 physicians fear someday receiving 103 00:04:49,200 --> 00:04:51,640 orders to a state which is banned 104 00:04:51,650 --> 00:04:55,180 abortion because of this increased 105 00:04:55,180 --> 00:04:58,210 maternal mortality in areas without 106 00:04:58,210 --> 00:05:01,430 access to safe and legal abortion . I 107 00:05:01,430 --> 00:05:04,320 would not feel safe attempting to 108 00:05:04,320 --> 00:05:07,030 become pregnant in such a state 109 00:05:07,790 --> 00:05:11,460 unquote . That is a comment by a 110 00:05:11,460 --> 00:05:15,320 physician in the military at a 111 00:05:15,320 --> 00:05:17,376 time when the military is struggling 112 00:05:17,376 --> 00:05:19,542 with recruitment and retention . These 113 00:05:19,542 --> 00:05:21,876 bands will certainly make matters worse . 114 00:05:21,876 --> 00:05:24,042 In the aftermath of the dobbs ruling . 115 00:05:24,042 --> 00:05:26,098 I'm asking the Department of Defense 116 00:05:26,098 --> 00:05:28,153 how they are going to ensure service 117 00:05:28,153 --> 00:05:30,209 members and their dependants who can 118 00:05:30,209 --> 00:05:32,320 access the medical care they need and 119 00:05:32,320 --> 00:05:34,153 deserve . We don't know how many 120 00:05:34,153 --> 00:05:36,376 service members of reproductive age are 121 00:05:36,376 --> 00:05:38,487 living in states with abortion bans . 122 00:05:38,487 --> 00:05:40,653 We don't know , service members can be 123 00:05:40,653 --> 00:05:42,820 denied leave or retaliated against for 124 00:05:42,820 --> 00:05:44,820 needing an abortion . We don't know 125 00:05:44,820 --> 00:05:46,820 what guidance medical providers are 126 00:05:46,820 --> 00:05:49,042 getting so they can continue performing 127 00:05:49,042 --> 00:05:51,520 permissible abortions . We don't know 128 00:05:51,520 --> 00:05:53,409 what updated guidance leaders and 129 00:05:53,409 --> 00:05:55,353 commanders are being provided when 130 00:05:55,353 --> 00:05:57,610 approached by service members seeking 131 00:05:57,610 --> 00:06:00,130 leave for medical procedures not 132 00:06:00,130 --> 00:06:02,590 covered by tricare or offered in their 133 00:06:02,590 --> 00:06:04,490 state . We don't know if military 134 00:06:04,490 --> 00:06:06,434 treatment facilities will continue 135 00:06:06,434 --> 00:06:09,700 caring all safe and FDA approved 136 00:06:09,700 --> 00:06:12,590 contraceptive methods with so many 137 00:06:12,590 --> 00:06:14,812 unanswered questions . It's no surprise 138 00:06:14,812 --> 00:06:17,034 we needed to have this hearing and give 139 00:06:17,034 --> 00:06:19,146 service members and medical providers 140 00:06:19,146 --> 00:06:21,423 an opportunity to be heard . D . O . D . 141 00:06:21,423 --> 00:06:23,350 Must act now to provide the right 142 00:06:23,350 --> 00:06:25,294 resources at the right time at the 143 00:06:25,294 --> 00:06:27,450 right place . So that service members 144 00:06:27,460 --> 00:06:29,900 and their families who have no choice 145 00:06:29,900 --> 00:06:32,520 about where they live continue to have 146 00:06:32,530 --> 00:06:34,586 access to the reproductive care they 147 00:06:34,586 --> 00:06:38,380 need want and deserve . As our 148 00:06:38,380 --> 00:06:40,830 military members defend our freedoms , 149 00:06:40,880 --> 00:06:43,850 we must defend theirs . 150 00:06:45,830 --> 00:06:48,480 I want to say to our first Panelist how 151 00:06:48,490 --> 00:06:50,690 grateful we are that you have come 152 00:06:50,690 --> 00:06:53,190 forward that you've shown the courage 153 00:06:53,200 --> 00:06:55,590 that you have that you are speaking for 154 00:06:55,590 --> 00:06:58,280 tens of thousands of women in the 155 00:06:58,280 --> 00:07:01,030 military who serve around the world who 156 00:07:01,030 --> 00:07:03,252 are finding themselves in the difficult 157 00:07:03,252 --> 00:07:05,160 position of having to make these 158 00:07:05,160 --> 00:07:07,950 decisions . The panel one includes two 159 00:07:07,950 --> 00:07:10,061 service members stationed at home and 160 00:07:10,061 --> 00:07:12,117 abroad who will share their personal 161 00:07:12,117 --> 00:07:14,339 experiences . But Sharon Arana and Miss 162 00:07:14,339 --> 00:07:16,450 Teresa Mazzello both will share their 163 00:07:16,450 --> 00:07:18,330 deeply compelling stories of how 164 00:07:18,330 --> 00:07:20,740 impactful access to timely abortion 165 00:07:20,740 --> 00:07:24,190 care has been for them . Also on panel 166 00:07:24,190 --> 00:07:27,690 one is dr Jackie LeMay and O . B . G . 167 00:07:27,690 --> 00:07:29,412 Y . N . Currently stationed in 168 00:07:29,412 --> 00:07:31,301 Washington State and working in a 169 00:07:31,301 --> 00:07:34,620 military hospital and dr Godzilla 170 00:07:34,630 --> 00:07:38,550 moya moya , who will tell us how she's 171 00:07:38,550 --> 00:07:41,160 supporting service members stationed in 172 00:07:41,160 --> 00:07:43,880 texas seeking reproductive medical care . 173 00:07:43,890 --> 00:07:45,779 The second panel will include the 174 00:07:45,779 --> 00:07:47,390 honorable Gil Cisneros , the 175 00:07:47,390 --> 00:07:49,223 undersecretary for personnel and 176 00:07:49,223 --> 00:07:51,168 readiness , as well as Miss Celine 177 00:07:51,168 --> 00:07:53,550 mullen , acting assistant Secretary of 178 00:07:53,560 --> 00:07:56,200 Defense for health affairs . Before 179 00:07:56,200 --> 00:07:58,311 hearing from our first panel , let me 180 00:07:58,311 --> 00:08:00,200 offer ranking member Gallagher an 181 00:08:00,200 --> 00:08:01,922 opportunity to make an opening 182 00:08:01,922 --> 00:08:04,089 statement . I think the chairwoman , I 183 00:08:04,089 --> 00:08:06,256 want to thank all of our witnesses and 184 00:08:06,256 --> 00:08:08,367 both panels for being with us today . 185 00:08:08,367 --> 00:08:10,200 The mission of the Department of 186 00:08:10,200 --> 00:08:12,144 Defense is to provide the military 187 00:08:12,144 --> 00:08:14,256 forces needed to deter war and ensure 188 00:08:14,256 --> 00:08:16,144 our nation's security . This is a 189 00:08:16,144 --> 00:08:18,367 critical mission on that . We all agree 190 00:08:18,367 --> 00:08:20,422 it's enabled by the readiness of the 191 00:08:20,422 --> 00:08:22,589 armed forces , which is the ability of 192 00:08:22,589 --> 00:08:24,700 the military forces to fight and meet 193 00:08:24,700 --> 00:08:26,756 the demands of assigned missions and 194 00:08:26,756 --> 00:08:28,533 the glue that binds mission and 195 00:08:28,533 --> 00:08:30,589 readiness together is good order and 196 00:08:30,589 --> 00:08:32,756 discipline . As George Washington once 197 00:08:32,756 --> 00:08:34,811 wrote , discipline is the soul of an 198 00:08:34,811 --> 00:08:36,478 army . It makes small numbers 199 00:08:36,478 --> 00:08:38,644 formidable procure success to the week 200 00:08:38,644 --> 00:08:40,478 and esteem to all . I start with 201 00:08:40,478 --> 00:08:42,700 mission readiness and the need for good 202 00:08:42,700 --> 00:08:42,650 order and discipline because our 203 00:08:42,650 --> 00:08:44,970 military is predicated on men and women 204 00:08:44,970 --> 00:08:47,040 following orders at times . That 205 00:08:47,040 --> 00:08:48,929 includes going into harm's way if 206 00:08:48,929 --> 00:08:51,040 necessary . The Department of Defense 207 00:08:51,040 --> 00:08:53,262 and the services , therefore should not 208 00:08:53,262 --> 00:08:55,262 consider a state's laws when making 209 00:08:55,262 --> 00:08:57,207 decisions regarding service member 210 00:08:57,207 --> 00:08:57,020 assignments . Nor should service 211 00:08:57,020 --> 00:08:59,360 members be empowered to make assignment 212 00:08:59,360 --> 00:09:01,471 decisions based on whether they agree 213 00:09:01,471 --> 00:09:03,527 with the state's laws . I personally 214 00:09:03,527 --> 00:09:05,860 believe that every human life has value , 215 00:09:05,860 --> 00:09:08,027 but that shouldn't make any difference 216 00:09:08,027 --> 00:09:10,249 in the orders I'm given . Similarly , I 217 00:09:10,249 --> 00:09:12,416 should not be able to tell my chain of 218 00:09:12,416 --> 00:09:14,304 command where to send me based on 219 00:09:14,304 --> 00:09:16,138 whether I agree or disagree with 220 00:09:16,138 --> 00:09:18,360 state's laws with regard to the Supreme 221 00:09:18,360 --> 00:09:20,193 Court's decision in Dobbs versus 222 00:09:20,193 --> 00:09:22,249 Jackson and its direct effect on the 223 00:09:22,249 --> 00:09:23,749 Department of Defense . My 224 00:09:23,749 --> 00:09:25,971 understanding is there was no change to 225 00:09:25,971 --> 00:09:25,350 the federal law that covers medical 226 00:09:25,350 --> 00:09:27,720 services available to service members . 227 00:09:27,730 --> 00:09:29,897 Nor are we suggesting it's necessary . 228 00:09:29,897 --> 00:09:32,008 We cannot both maintain a functioning 229 00:09:32,008 --> 00:09:33,619 military however , and allow 230 00:09:33,619 --> 00:09:35,452 individuals to choose as Some in 231 00:09:35,452 --> 00:09:37,063 Congress have suggested what 232 00:09:37,063 --> 00:09:39,063 installation or assignment they can 233 00:09:39,063 --> 00:09:41,350 receive on the basis of a pentagon . 234 00:09:41,350 --> 00:09:43,572 Bureaucrats , perception of state law . 235 00:09:43,610 --> 00:09:45,777 This very issue was debated during our 236 00:09:45,777 --> 00:09:47,832 full committee markup and one of our 237 00:09:47,832 --> 00:09:50,054 majority counterparts joined us on that 238 00:09:50,054 --> 00:09:50,040 vote , the Senate Armed Services 239 00:09:50,040 --> 00:09:51,930 Committee voted 18-8 . A strong 240 00:09:51,930 --> 00:09:53,740 bipartisan vote to prohibit the 241 00:09:53,740 --> 00:09:55,796 pentagon from using the agreement or 242 00:09:55,796 --> 00:09:57,907 disagreement of a member of the armed 243 00:09:57,907 --> 00:09:59,740 forces with the state's laws and 244 00:09:59,740 --> 00:10:01,684 regulations applicable to any duty 245 00:10:01,684 --> 00:10:03,573 station when determining the duty 246 00:10:03,573 --> 00:10:05,740 assignment of the member following the 247 00:10:05,740 --> 00:10:07,962 markup . Senator Sullivan the amendment 248 00:10:07,962 --> 00:10:09,962 sponsor stated quote , allowing our 249 00:10:09,962 --> 00:10:12,018 service members to veto the needs of 250 00:10:12,018 --> 00:10:14,184 the service because they disagree with 251 00:10:14,184 --> 00:10:13,750 state or local laws could lead to a 252 00:10:13,750 --> 00:10:15,440 sorting of the military along 253 00:10:15,440 --> 00:10:17,607 ideological lines that would devastate 254 00:10:17,607 --> 00:10:19,496 readiness , unit cohesion and the 255 00:10:19,496 --> 00:10:21,496 american people's respect for their 256 00:10:21,496 --> 00:10:23,329 military . Senator Tim Kaine , a 257 00:10:23,329 --> 00:10:25,384 democrat from Virginia who voted for 258 00:10:25,384 --> 00:10:27,440 the amendment said that while family 259 00:10:27,440 --> 00:10:29,218 considerations are important in 260 00:10:29,218 --> 00:10:30,940 assignment decisions , quote . 261 00:10:30,940 --> 00:10:32,718 Ultimately , military personnel 262 00:10:32,718 --> 00:10:34,773 officials make the decision best for 263 00:10:34,773 --> 00:10:36,662 the defense mission that is as it 264 00:10:36,662 --> 00:10:38,496 should be . I agree with Senator 265 00:10:38,496 --> 00:10:40,829 Sullivan and I agree with Senator Kaine . 266 00:10:40,829 --> 00:10:42,940 The bottom line here is that allowing 267 00:10:42,940 --> 00:10:42,630 state law to become a factor when 268 00:10:42,630 --> 00:10:44,797 making personnel assignments is a very 269 00:10:44,797 --> 00:10:46,870 dangerous and unworkable proposition 270 00:10:47,040 --> 00:10:49,151 and a political professional military 271 00:10:49,151 --> 00:10:50,929 is the hallmark of our american 272 00:10:50,929 --> 00:10:52,929 democracy for hearing . Today . I'd 273 00:10:52,929 --> 00:10:55,040 like to understand how the Department 274 00:10:55,040 --> 00:10:57,151 of Defense will implement the june 28 275 00:10:57,151 --> 00:10:59,262 2022 policy memorandum from Secretary 276 00:10:59,262 --> 00:11:01,429 Austin on ensuring access to essential 277 00:11:01,429 --> 00:11:03,262 women's health care services for 278 00:11:03,262 --> 00:11:04,762 service members dependence 279 00:11:04,762 --> 00:11:07,096 beneficiaries and Department of Defense . 280 00:11:07,096 --> 00:11:09,151 Civilian employees , thank you and I 281 00:11:09,151 --> 00:11:11,318 yield back . I thank the gentleman for 282 00:11:11,318 --> 00:11:13,484 his comments . I want to just stay for 283 00:11:13,484 --> 00:11:13,450 the record . This is not a hearing on 284 00:11:13,450 --> 00:11:15,561 whether or not service members should 285 00:11:15,561 --> 00:11:17,617 be able to choose where they serve . 286 00:11:17,617 --> 00:11:19,617 It's a hearing to determine what we 287 00:11:19,617 --> 00:11:21,617 should do to make sure they serve , 288 00:11:21,617 --> 00:11:23,672 where their order to serve and still 289 00:11:23,672 --> 00:11:25,728 can receive reproductive health care 290 00:11:25,880 --> 00:11:27,936 before we proceed with questions for 291 00:11:27,936 --> 00:11:29,880 the witnesses . I want to add that 292 00:11:29,880 --> 00:11:31,991 several service members approached my 293 00:11:31,991 --> 00:11:33,991 office about wanting to share their 294 00:11:33,991 --> 00:11:35,769 stories . Several has submitted 295 00:11:35,769 --> 00:11:37,602 statements . I now ask unanimous 296 00:11:37,602 --> 00:11:39,769 consent to add those statements to the 297 00:11:39,769 --> 00:11:41,491 record of this hearing without 298 00:11:41,491 --> 00:11:42,769 objection . So ordered 299 00:11:45,980 --> 00:11:48,140 I ask unanimous consent that 300 00:11:49,150 --> 00:11:52,720 members from the full committee 301 00:11:52,730 --> 00:11:56,350 or other committees um who are inclined 302 00:11:56,350 --> 00:11:58,500 to participate in this hearing are 303 00:11:58,500 --> 00:12:00,222 invited to sit on the dais and 304 00:12:00,222 --> 00:12:02,290 participate in the hearing . That 305 00:12:02,290 --> 00:12:03,780 objection . So ordered 306 00:12:06,960 --> 00:12:09,127 to the witnesses , we respectfully ask 307 00:12:09,127 --> 00:12:11,182 that you summarize your testimony in 308 00:12:11,182 --> 00:12:13,182 five minutes or less . Your written 309 00:12:13,182 --> 00:12:15,238 comments and statements will be made 310 00:12:15,238 --> 00:12:17,127 part of the hearing record . Each 311 00:12:17,127 --> 00:12:19,071 member will have an opportunity to 312 00:12:19,071 --> 00:12:21,404 question the witnesses for five minutes . 313 00:12:21,404 --> 00:12:23,516 With that we welcome Miss Arana . You 314 00:12:23,516 --> 00:12:25,293 may make your opening statement 315 00:12:28,210 --> 00:12:30,377 and you need to push that button too . 316 00:12:30,980 --> 00:12:32,980 Good morning chairman spear ranking 317 00:12:32,980 --> 00:12:34,924 member Gallagher and distinguished 318 00:12:34,924 --> 00:12:37,036 committee members . Thank you for the 319 00:12:37,036 --> 00:12:39,258 opportunity to testify before you today 320 00:12:39,258 --> 00:12:41,202 about service members reproductive 321 00:12:41,202 --> 00:12:43,036 health and readiness . The views 322 00:12:43,036 --> 00:12:45,202 expressed in this testimony are my own 323 00:12:45,202 --> 00:12:47,147 and do not necessarily reflect the 324 00:12:47,147 --> 00:12:49,091 official policy or position of the 325 00:12:49,091 --> 00:12:50,758 United States Air Force , the 326 00:12:50,758 --> 00:12:52,758 Department of Defense or the United 327 00:12:52,758 --> 00:12:55,510 States government . I'm Sharon Arana a 328 00:12:55,510 --> 00:12:57,621 major and intelligence officer in the 329 00:12:57,621 --> 00:12:59,910 United States Air Force . I'm a prior 330 00:12:59,910 --> 00:13:02,780 enlisted enlisted officer with 24 a 331 00:13:02,780 --> 00:13:06,170 half years of active duty service In 332 00:13:06,170 --> 00:13:08,260 the summer of 2009 . A week before 333 00:13:08,260 --> 00:13:10,427 graduating officer training school . I 334 00:13:10,427 --> 00:13:12,482 discovered that my birth control had 335 00:13:12,482 --> 00:13:14,560 failed At the time . I was a single 336 00:13:14,560 --> 00:13:17,220 mother of two , recently divorced and a 337 00:13:17,220 --> 00:13:19,980 week from commissioning . When I 338 00:13:19,980 --> 00:13:22,170 realized I had missed my period , I 339 00:13:22,170 --> 00:13:24,226 asked my partner to take me to buy a 340 00:13:24,226 --> 00:13:26,650 home pregnancy test . I didn't want to 341 00:13:26,650 --> 00:13:29,020 go to the base clinic to get tested 342 00:13:29,030 --> 00:13:30,919 there because it would prompt the 343 00:13:30,919 --> 00:13:33,086 profile . I'm a chain of command would 344 00:13:33,086 --> 00:13:35,308 instantly be notified of my pregnancy . 345 00:13:35,308 --> 00:13:37,530 I also knew the clinic couldn't help me 346 00:13:37,530 --> 00:13:40,320 find access to safe abortion . I didn't 347 00:13:40,320 --> 00:13:42,431 feel comfortable testing in the dorms 348 00:13:42,431 --> 00:13:44,320 where I was living while I was in 349 00:13:44,320 --> 00:13:46,320 training . So I ended up taking the 350 00:13:46,320 --> 00:13:48,431 pregnancy test alone in a gas station 351 00:13:48,431 --> 00:13:52,260 bathroom . My then boyfriend , 352 00:13:52,270 --> 00:13:54,490 now husband and I had agreed that 353 00:13:54,490 --> 00:13:56,601 continuing with the pregnancy was not 354 00:13:56,601 --> 00:13:59,000 the right decision for us . We were 355 00:13:59,000 --> 00:14:01,050 stationed in Alabama and access to 356 00:14:01,050 --> 00:14:03,190 abortion was restricted . So the 357 00:14:03,190 --> 00:14:05,357 weekend before we graduated training , 358 00:14:05,357 --> 00:14:08,790 we drove 3.5 hours to Atlanta . The 359 00:14:08,790 --> 00:14:10,901 morning of my appointment , I learned 360 00:14:10,901 --> 00:14:12,957 that Georgia had a three day cooling 361 00:14:12,957 --> 00:14:15,179 off period , which meant that the first 362 00:14:15,179 --> 00:14:17,290 day was only to confirm the pregnancy 363 00:14:17,290 --> 00:14:19,260 with both a urine test and an 364 00:14:19,260 --> 00:14:21,482 ultrasound that I was forced to watch . 365 00:14:23,030 --> 00:14:25,197 I was expected to return to the clinic 366 00:14:25,197 --> 00:14:27,252 in three days for the abortion . But 367 00:14:27,252 --> 00:14:29,363 since I was in training , I needed to 368 00:14:29,363 --> 00:14:31,474 return to Alabama to finish my course 369 00:14:31,474 --> 00:14:33,474 in order to commission . Later that 370 00:14:33,474 --> 00:14:35,641 week by chance , I had already planned 371 00:14:35,641 --> 00:14:37,752 a trip to my hometown of Brooklyn new 372 00:14:37,752 --> 00:14:40,250 york . After my graduation in new york , 373 00:14:40,250 --> 00:14:42,250 I had the access to the health care 374 00:14:42,250 --> 00:14:44,960 that I needed and had an abortion . I 375 00:14:44,960 --> 00:14:47,620 paid $400 out of pocket and I recovered 376 00:14:47,620 --> 00:14:49,398 at home for a few days while on 377 00:14:49,398 --> 00:14:51,287 personal leave before heading for 378 00:14:51,287 --> 00:14:53,509 follow on training in Texas with my two 379 00:14:53,509 --> 00:14:54,509 Children in tow . 380 00:14:56,640 --> 00:14:58,760 About three weeks after arriving in 381 00:14:58,760 --> 00:15:01,240 texas , I sought further medical care 382 00:15:01,240 --> 00:15:03,590 after experiencing bleeding at the 383 00:15:03,590 --> 00:15:05,701 clinic on base , I informed the nurse 384 00:15:05,701 --> 00:15:07,868 that I had had an abortion a few weeks 385 00:15:07,868 --> 00:15:10,090 prior . While my bleeding was a natural 386 00:15:10,090 --> 00:15:12,034 part of my healing process and not 387 00:15:12,034 --> 00:15:14,257 harmful to me . My nurse said she would 388 00:15:14,257 --> 00:15:16,368 keep my abortion a secret and not add 389 00:15:16,368 --> 00:15:18,840 it to my medical records just in case 390 00:15:20,500 --> 00:15:23,770 I was confused and I felt stigmatized 391 00:15:23,770 --> 00:15:26,000 for having an abortion . Like I was 392 00:15:26,000 --> 00:15:28,111 being judged for the decision that my 393 00:15:28,111 --> 00:15:29,944 partner and I had carefully made 394 00:15:29,944 --> 00:15:32,470 together . I was never offered any 395 00:15:32,470 --> 00:15:35,750 support or follow on care at the clinic . 396 00:15:35,760 --> 00:15:38,160 Rather I was sent on my way back to 397 00:15:38,160 --> 00:15:40,080 training without my pregnancy 398 00:15:40,080 --> 00:15:41,969 termination ever documented in my 399 00:15:41,969 --> 00:15:43,030 medical records 400 00:15:45,680 --> 00:15:48,190 Choosing to have an abortion was not an 401 00:15:48,190 --> 00:15:51,410 easy one . And it was the decision my 402 00:15:51,410 --> 00:15:54,830 partner and I made together My husband 403 00:15:54,830 --> 00:15:57,180 and I will be celebrating our 11 year 404 00:15:57,180 --> 00:15:59,870 anniversary this year and we have never 405 00:15:59,870 --> 00:16:02,037 doubted that choosing to wait to start 406 00:16:02,037 --> 00:16:04,150 our family was the right decision for 407 00:16:04,160 --> 00:16:07,490 us . We went on to have two more 408 00:16:07,500 --> 00:16:09,722 Children together when it was right for 409 00:16:09,722 --> 00:16:13,530 us and our careers . Our four beautiful 410 00:16:13,530 --> 00:16:15,400 babies are a testament to the 411 00:16:15,400 --> 00:16:17,622 importance of having access to critical 412 00:16:17,622 --> 00:16:19,700 health care , including abortion . 413 00:16:22,030 --> 00:16:24,980 We are a dual military family that 414 00:16:24,980 --> 00:16:28,900 combined has over 40 years serving 415 00:16:28,900 --> 00:16:32,120 an active duty , multiple deployments , 416 00:16:32,140 --> 00:16:34,890 years , stationed apart , missed 417 00:16:34,890 --> 00:16:37,110 birthdays and anniversaries and 418 00:16:37,110 --> 00:16:38,999 countless weekends and holidays , 419 00:16:38,999 --> 00:16:41,630 working missions and we wouldn't change 420 00:16:41,630 --> 00:16:45,490 a thing . I know 421 00:16:45,490 --> 00:16:47,601 that if I didn't have an abortion , I 422 00:16:47,601 --> 00:16:49,823 would not have been able to continue my 423 00:16:49,823 --> 00:16:51,934 training as a single mother and brand 424 00:16:51,934 --> 00:16:53,990 new lieutenant going through officer 425 00:16:53,990 --> 00:16:55,934 intel school . I also know that it 426 00:16:55,934 --> 00:16:57,990 didn't have to be that difficult . I 427 00:16:57,990 --> 00:16:59,990 was fortunate enough to come from a 428 00:16:59,990 --> 00:17:02,046 state that honors a woman's right to 429 00:17:02,046 --> 00:17:04,046 make her own decisions and I wasn't 430 00:17:04,046 --> 00:17:05,768 forced to carry through with a 431 00:17:05,768 --> 00:17:09,580 pregnancy against my will . I have put 432 00:17:09,580 --> 00:17:12,400 my uniform on for the past 24.5 years 433 00:17:12,400 --> 00:17:15,170 with pride and I'm honored to be able 434 00:17:15,170 --> 00:17:17,970 to continue wearing it . My family and 435 00:17:17,970 --> 00:17:20,590 I continue to make sacrifices because 436 00:17:20,590 --> 00:17:22,701 we believe in what this nation stands 437 00:17:22,701 --> 00:17:25,680 for . I believe that for everyone in 438 00:17:25,680 --> 00:17:27,624 this chamber , the health and well 439 00:17:27,624 --> 00:17:29,791 being of my fellow service members and 440 00:17:29,791 --> 00:17:32,124 their families should be a top priority . 441 00:17:32,960 --> 00:17:35,016 My husband and I would not have been 442 00:17:35,016 --> 00:17:37,127 able to continue our military careers 443 00:17:37,127 --> 00:17:38,960 had we been forced to carry that 444 00:17:38,960 --> 00:17:41,293 pregnancy and as an unwed mother of two , 445 00:17:41,293 --> 00:17:43,127 geographically separated from my 446 00:17:43,127 --> 00:17:45,127 partner and family . I would not be 447 00:17:45,127 --> 00:17:48,100 where I am today . Our family the one 448 00:17:48,100 --> 00:17:50,920 at home and in uniform has benefited 449 00:17:50,920 --> 00:17:53,142 because I was able to travel to a state 450 00:17:53,142 --> 00:17:55,198 that recognized that family building 451 00:17:55,198 --> 00:17:58,750 decisions were ours alone to make . I 452 00:17:58,750 --> 00:18:00,917 thank you for the opportunity to share 453 00:18:00,917 --> 00:18:04,910 my story . Thank 454 00:18:04,910 --> 00:18:07,180 you . Mr rana . Your testimony is 455 00:18:07,180 --> 00:18:10,260 extraordinary and um you're 456 00:18:10,270 --> 00:18:13,400 precisely who we want to serve in the 457 00:18:13,400 --> 00:18:17,050 military and to have anyone snuff out 458 00:18:17,060 --> 00:18:20,670 that opportunity for just um a lack of 459 00:18:20,670 --> 00:18:22,990 providing services to our service 460 00:18:22,990 --> 00:18:25,580 members um is repelling to me . So 461 00:18:25,580 --> 00:18:28,030 thank you again for your testimony . Um 462 00:18:28,040 --> 00:18:30,810 Miss Teresa Mazzello , who's an active 463 00:18:30,810 --> 00:18:33,032 duty service member , is joining us via 464 00:18:33,032 --> 00:18:36,970 zoom . Good morning 465 00:18:36,970 --> 00:18:38,920 chairwoman , spear ranking member 466 00:18:38,920 --> 00:18:41,087 Gallagher and distinguished members of 467 00:18:41,087 --> 00:18:43,087 the subcommittee . It's an honor to 468 00:18:43,087 --> 00:18:45,087 appear before you today to share my 469 00:18:45,087 --> 00:18:46,920 personal experience . My name is 470 00:18:46,920 --> 00:18:49,031 Theresa and Mazzello and I am a major 471 00:18:49,031 --> 00:18:51,031 in the United States Air Force . My 472 00:18:51,031 --> 00:18:53,390 comments today are my personal story 473 00:18:53,390 --> 00:18:55,390 and do not reflect the views of the 474 00:18:55,390 --> 00:18:57,501 Department of Defense , Department of 475 00:18:57,501 --> 00:18:59,168 the Air Force , United States 476 00:18:59,168 --> 00:19:01,446 Government or my current assigned unit , 477 00:19:01,446 --> 00:19:03,390 United States european Command . I 478 00:19:03,390 --> 00:19:05,612 entered the Air Force as an active duty 479 00:19:05,612 --> 00:19:07,779 enlisted member in 2000 to 2 weeks ago 480 00:19:07,779 --> 00:19:09,946 I reached 20 years of military service 481 00:19:09,946 --> 00:19:11,723 and I was recently selected for 482 00:19:11,723 --> 00:19:13,834 promotion to lieutenant colonel . I'm 483 00:19:13,834 --> 00:19:16,112 extremely proud of my military service . 484 00:19:16,112 --> 00:19:18,334 I am thankful for all the opportunities 485 00:19:18,334 --> 00:19:20,279 that has provided me throughout my 486 00:19:20,279 --> 00:19:22,279 career growing up in a lower income 487 00:19:22,279 --> 00:19:24,223 family in rural pennsylvania , the 488 00:19:24,223 --> 00:19:26,334 military represented an economic step 489 00:19:26,334 --> 00:19:28,990 up in a career path . I joined the 490 00:19:28,990 --> 00:19:30,934 United States Air Force to see the 491 00:19:30,934 --> 00:19:33,101 world serve my country and complete my 492 00:19:33,101 --> 00:19:35,210 college education . I'm grateful . I 493 00:19:35,210 --> 00:19:37,266 have accomplished these goals and so 494 00:19:37,266 --> 00:19:40,190 much more . When I heard the news that 495 00:19:40,190 --> 00:19:42,301 roe versus wade had been overturned , 496 00:19:42,310 --> 00:19:45,790 my heart sank . It was then I decided 497 00:19:45,790 --> 00:19:48,068 to share my abortion story with others . 498 00:19:48,070 --> 00:19:51,630 For the very first time , 19 years ago 499 00:19:51,640 --> 00:19:54,650 I discovered I was pregnant at age 21 . 500 00:19:54,660 --> 00:19:57,520 I was terrified at the time . I was 501 00:19:57,520 --> 00:19:59,631 newly stationed at Whiteman Air Force 502 00:19:59,631 --> 00:20:01,742 Base in Missouri . As an airman First 503 00:20:01,742 --> 00:20:04,180 class E three . I was fresh out of 504 00:20:04,180 --> 00:20:06,130 technical training as an aerospace 505 00:20:06,130 --> 00:20:08,970 ground equipment mechanic . I was in my 506 00:20:08,970 --> 00:20:11,740 work center for approximately 90 days . 507 00:20:11,750 --> 00:20:13,530 I had no social support system 508 00:20:13,530 --> 00:20:15,641 established yet . And as a first term 509 00:20:15,641 --> 00:20:17,863 airman , I lived in a dormitory and did 510 00:20:17,863 --> 00:20:20,420 not yet have a car . My bi monthly pay 511 00:20:20,430 --> 00:20:24,300 was just over $550 . As a 512 00:20:24,300 --> 00:20:26,810 relatively shy person . I only made one 513 00:20:26,810 --> 00:20:30,740 friend so far . I was a female airman 514 00:20:30,750 --> 00:20:32,806 and a male dominated environment and 515 00:20:32,806 --> 00:20:34,990 the idea of discussing this personal 516 00:20:34,990 --> 00:20:37,157 information with my leadership was out 517 00:20:37,157 --> 00:20:39,890 of the question . I felt devastated , 518 00:20:39,900 --> 00:20:43,330 lost and alone . My dream of a 519 00:20:43,330 --> 00:20:45,960 successful military career was falling 520 00:20:45,960 --> 00:20:48,650 apart before I even had a chance to get 521 00:20:48,650 --> 00:20:52,220 started . But looking back , 522 00:20:52,230 --> 00:20:55,770 I now realize how fortunate I was at 523 00:20:55,770 --> 00:20:57,980 that time . I was fortunate . I was 524 00:20:57,980 --> 00:21:00,220 fortunate I did not have to travel far 525 00:21:00,230 --> 00:21:02,570 to get an abortion . I was lucky that 526 00:21:02,570 --> 00:21:04,860 my only friend on base was willing to 527 00:21:04,860 --> 00:21:06,860 drive me to an abortion clinic 90 528 00:21:06,860 --> 00:21:08,860 minutes away along the Missouri and 529 00:21:08,860 --> 00:21:11,510 Kansas border . I was lucky the clinic 530 00:21:11,520 --> 00:21:13,687 was able to schedule my appointment on 531 00:21:13,687 --> 00:21:15,790 saturday morning , so I bypassed the 532 00:21:15,790 --> 00:21:18,430 need to request time off . This would 533 00:21:18,430 --> 00:21:20,550 have been a critical hurdle . It was 534 00:21:20,550 --> 00:21:22,880 shop policy that airman and upgrade 535 00:21:22,880 --> 00:21:25,100 training were prohibited from taking 536 00:21:25,100 --> 00:21:27,580 leave unless it was a compelling reason . 537 00:21:27,590 --> 00:21:30,180 I could not imagine having discussed 538 00:21:30,180 --> 00:21:32,870 such a personal matter with my male 539 00:21:32,870 --> 00:21:36,280 leadership . After my abortion , I had 540 00:21:36,280 --> 00:21:38,600 a whole day to recover my dorm room 541 00:21:38,600 --> 00:21:40,378 before returning to work . That 542 00:21:40,378 --> 00:21:42,800 following Monday morning at 7:30 , I 543 00:21:42,800 --> 00:21:44,800 had access to the reproductive care 544 00:21:44,800 --> 00:21:46,522 that I needed , but I had some 545 00:21:46,522 --> 00:21:49,200 financial difficulties to overcome the 546 00:21:49,200 --> 00:21:52,500 abortion cost my entire paycheck . I 547 00:21:52,500 --> 00:21:54,722 had to wait until my next pay period to 548 00:21:54,722 --> 00:21:56,920 repay my friend gas money for driving 549 00:21:56,920 --> 00:21:59,880 me to my appointment . I was grateful 550 00:21:59,880 --> 00:22:02,150 for having access to the on base dining 551 00:22:02,150 --> 00:22:04,890 facility for meals and I scraped by on 552 00:22:04,890 --> 00:22:07,112 a near empty bank account until my next 553 00:22:07,112 --> 00:22:10,940 paycheck arrived without a question . 554 00:22:10,950 --> 00:22:12,839 If I had not been able to have an 555 00:22:12,839 --> 00:22:15,117 abortion . As a junior enlisted member , 556 00:22:15,117 --> 00:22:17,360 I would not have had my career and I 557 00:22:17,360 --> 00:22:20,000 would not be in front of you today . At 558 00:22:20,000 --> 00:22:22,056 the time of my pregnancy , I did not 559 00:22:22,056 --> 00:22:24,410 have the financial ability , support or 560 00:22:24,410 --> 00:22:26,354 personal desire to become a single 561 00:22:26,354 --> 00:22:28,830 mother serving in the armed forces . I 562 00:22:28,830 --> 00:22:30,997 know many strong service women who had 563 00:22:30,997 --> 00:22:33,420 succeeded as single mothers , but deep 564 00:22:33,420 --> 00:22:35,420 down , I knew that abortion was the 565 00:22:35,420 --> 00:22:38,370 right personal decision for me today . 566 00:22:38,380 --> 00:22:40,602 I'm speaking in support of women in the 567 00:22:40,602 --> 00:22:42,491 military who will now have a much 568 00:22:42,491 --> 00:22:44,658 harder time to access an abortion than 569 00:22:44,658 --> 00:22:47,120 I did . I'm here today to give Airman 570 00:22:47,120 --> 00:22:49,390 first class Mazzello a chance to tell 571 00:22:49,390 --> 00:22:52,410 her story and hopes you consider it 572 00:22:52,410 --> 00:22:54,632 when developing policy for women in the 573 00:22:54,632 --> 00:22:57,090 armed forces . I'm especially concerned 574 00:22:57,090 --> 00:22:59,090 for these junior enlisted members . 575 00:22:59,090 --> 00:23:01,590 Like I was on a tight financial budget 576 00:23:01,600 --> 00:23:03,822 who's now stationed in a state that has 577 00:23:03,822 --> 00:23:06,320 banned abortion . Many will now need to 578 00:23:06,320 --> 00:23:08,850 travel hundreds of miles away to find 579 00:23:08,850 --> 00:23:10,850 an available clinic in a state that 580 00:23:10,850 --> 00:23:13,128 recognizes the legal right to abortion . 581 00:23:13,128 --> 00:23:14,906 Will they be able to afford the 582 00:23:14,906 --> 00:23:17,350 transportation and hotel costs along 583 00:23:17,350 --> 00:23:19,461 with the cost of an abortion ? Well , 584 00:23:19,461 --> 00:23:21,128 they need to ask their direct 585 00:23:21,128 --> 00:23:23,017 supervisors for leave . Will this 586 00:23:23,017 --> 00:23:25,190 knowledge compromise their careers or 587 00:23:25,190 --> 00:23:28,060 will their privacy be respected or will 588 00:23:28,070 --> 00:23:30,070 or will their situation become work 589 00:23:30,070 --> 00:23:32,760 center gossip . But most importantly , 590 00:23:32,770 --> 00:23:34,826 what would their future look like if 591 00:23:34,826 --> 00:23:37,430 they didn't have an abortion ? In 592 00:23:37,430 --> 00:23:39,900 closing my heart is heavy after the 593 00:23:39,900 --> 00:23:42,380 Supreme Court's decision . My story is 594 00:23:42,380 --> 00:23:44,690 not unique . I personally know many 595 00:23:44,690 --> 00:23:46,412 women who have faced much more 596 00:23:46,412 --> 00:23:48,468 difficult circumstances accessing an 597 00:23:48,468 --> 00:23:50,800 abortion while serving it deeply 598 00:23:50,800 --> 00:23:52,970 saddens me to know that as I come to 599 00:23:52,970 --> 00:23:54,803 the end of my career , my fellow 600 00:23:54,803 --> 00:23:56,581 service women must face so many 601 00:23:56,581 --> 00:23:58,692 additional barriers and challenges to 602 00:23:58,692 --> 00:24:00,581 access the reproductive care they 603 00:24:00,581 --> 00:24:02,748 deserve . They might not have the same 604 00:24:02,748 --> 00:24:05,930 opportunity to succeed as I did . Thank 605 00:24:05,930 --> 00:24:07,819 you again for this opportunity to 606 00:24:07,819 --> 00:24:10,020 testify here today on such a critical 607 00:24:10,030 --> 00:24:12,330 issue that involves the health and 608 00:24:12,330 --> 00:24:14,640 economic well being of service women 609 00:24:14,650 --> 00:24:16,810 and women in general . I look forward 610 00:24:16,810 --> 00:24:20,340 to any questions . Thank you Major 611 00:24:20,350 --> 00:24:23,950 Mazzello and like Major Arana , you 612 00:24:23,960 --> 00:24:26,310 show extraordinary courage and 613 00:24:26,320 --> 00:24:28,710 leadership and we're very grateful to 614 00:24:28,710 --> 00:24:32,130 you for sharing your story . Now we'll 615 00:24:32,130 --> 00:24:34,470 hear from Dr Jackie LeMay O . B G . Y . 616 00:24:34,470 --> 00:24:36,490 N . At the Naval Medical . Who is a 617 00:24:36,490 --> 00:24:37,910 naval Medical officer . 618 00:24:43,150 --> 00:24:46,650 Dr LeMay . Oh yes , sorry I was having 619 00:24:46,650 --> 00:24:49,370 some issues . Chairwoman sphere , 620 00:24:49,380 --> 00:24:51,102 ranking member , Gallagher and 621 00:24:51,102 --> 00:24:53,324 distinguished committee members . Thank 622 00:24:53,324 --> 00:24:55,436 you for this opportunity to testify . 623 00:24:55,436 --> 00:24:57,269 Before I begin . I would like to 624 00:24:57,269 --> 00:24:59,158 specify that I'm here today in my 625 00:24:59,158 --> 00:25:01,324 personal capacity as a physician . The 626 00:25:01,324 --> 00:25:03,380 views expressed in the statement are 627 00:25:03,380 --> 00:25:05,547 those of myself and do not necessarily 628 00:25:05,547 --> 00:25:07,769 reflect the official policy or position 629 00:25:07,769 --> 00:25:09,547 of the Department of the Navy , 630 00:25:09,547 --> 00:25:11,713 Department of Defense or United States 631 00:25:11,713 --> 00:25:13,880 Government . I'm dr Jacqueline LeMay . 632 00:25:13,880 --> 00:25:15,880 I'm an active duty Navy gynecologic 633 00:25:15,880 --> 00:25:17,769 surgeon and obstetrician and have 634 00:25:17,769 --> 00:25:19,880 fellowship training in complex family 635 00:25:19,880 --> 00:25:21,991 planning . I have been on active duty 636 00:25:21,991 --> 00:25:24,158 for 21 years and prior to specializing 637 00:25:24,158 --> 00:25:26,420 I spent five years in an operational 638 00:25:26,420 --> 00:25:28,198 environment as a flight surgeon 639 00:25:28,198 --> 00:25:30,420 including deploying to Afghanistan with 640 00:25:30,420 --> 00:25:32,476 the marines both during my time as a 641 00:25:32,476 --> 00:25:34,809 flight surgeon and even more so as an O . 642 00:25:34,809 --> 00:25:36,840 B G Y N . I have seen how abortion 643 00:25:36,840 --> 00:25:38,951 restrictions impact our service women 644 00:25:38,951 --> 00:25:41,130 and active duty families . Active duty 645 00:25:41,130 --> 00:25:42,908 women face unique challenges in 646 00:25:42,908 --> 00:25:44,797 obtaining full scope reproductive 647 00:25:44,797 --> 00:25:46,908 health care and witnessing . This led 648 00:25:46,908 --> 00:25:49,130 me both to change my specialty to O . B 649 00:25:49,130 --> 00:25:51,690 G Y N . As well as to pursue additional 650 00:25:51,690 --> 00:25:53,857 training and complex family planning . 651 00:25:54,050 --> 00:25:56,217 I'm honored to be here today alongside 652 00:25:56,217 --> 00:25:58,439 my fellow panelists as they share their 653 00:25:58,439 --> 00:26:00,550 personal stories . Abortion care is a 654 00:26:00,550 --> 00:26:02,161 part of the full spectrum of 655 00:26:02,161 --> 00:26:04,328 reproductive health care and should be 656 00:26:04,328 --> 00:26:06,328 available to access no matter one's 657 00:26:06,328 --> 00:26:08,439 reason for needing that care . One of 658 00:26:08,439 --> 00:26:10,606 the hardest things I do as a physician 659 00:26:10,606 --> 00:26:12,328 is tell a family that there is 660 00:26:12,328 --> 00:26:14,494 something wrong with their pregnancy . 661 00:26:14,494 --> 00:26:16,550 I've had to explain to patients that 662 00:26:16,550 --> 00:26:18,717 while ending their pregnancy early was 663 00:26:18,717 --> 00:26:20,939 a medical option . It was not something 664 00:26:20,939 --> 00:26:20,820 that I could legally provide as a 665 00:26:20,820 --> 00:26:23,240 military physician and I've cried with 666 00:26:23,240 --> 00:26:25,470 families after their baby was born and 667 00:26:25,470 --> 00:26:28,650 pronounced dead soon afterwards . One 668 00:26:28,650 --> 00:26:30,872 person who comes to mind is the wife of 669 00:26:30,872 --> 00:26:32,983 an enlisted airman . Someone who gave 670 00:26:32,983 --> 00:26:35,317 me her consent to share her story today . 671 00:26:35,317 --> 00:26:37,539 This was their second overseas tour far 672 00:26:37,539 --> 00:26:39,761 away from family . I still remember the 673 00:26:39,761 --> 00:26:41,761 look on the maternal fetal medicine 674 00:26:41,761 --> 00:26:43,872 specialists face when she walked into 675 00:26:43,872 --> 00:26:45,983 my office and asked me to join her in 676 00:26:45,983 --> 00:26:47,872 talking with the couple about the 677 00:26:47,872 --> 00:26:50,150 anomalies she'd seen and their options . 678 00:26:50,150 --> 00:26:52,094 Their daughter Scarlett had severe 679 00:26:52,094 --> 00:26:53,928 malformations that meant she was 680 00:26:53,928 --> 00:26:56,150 unlikely to survive until delivery . My 681 00:26:56,150 --> 00:26:57,872 patient asked about ending the 682 00:26:57,872 --> 00:27:00,039 pregnancy and we talked about the ways 683 00:27:00,039 --> 00:27:02,261 this could be done . I then had to tell 684 00:27:02,261 --> 00:27:04,428 them that legally , since her life was 685 00:27:04,428 --> 00:27:06,650 not at risk . I was unable to offer her 686 00:27:06,650 --> 00:27:08,817 that option in a military facility and 687 00:27:08,817 --> 00:27:10,928 it would not be covered by her health 688 00:27:10,928 --> 00:27:12,983 insurance . If she wanted to end the 689 00:27:12,983 --> 00:27:15,206 pregnancy , she would have to return to 690 00:27:15,206 --> 00:27:17,261 the States and pay for the procedure 691 00:27:17,261 --> 00:27:19,261 with no assistance from tricare her 692 00:27:19,261 --> 00:27:21,317 care would cost thousands of dollars 693 00:27:21,317 --> 00:27:23,372 plus the cost of international plane 694 00:27:23,372 --> 00:27:25,150 tickets , hotel rooms and other 695 00:27:25,150 --> 00:27:27,317 expenses . There was no way this young 696 00:27:27,317 --> 00:27:29,483 enlisted family had the means for that 697 00:27:29,483 --> 00:27:31,483 undertaking thankfully . She had an 698 00:27:31,483 --> 00:27:33,650 amazing friend who set up a fundraiser 699 00:27:33,650 --> 00:27:35,706 for the family and within a few days 700 00:27:35,706 --> 00:27:37,817 they had an overwhelming response and 701 00:27:37,817 --> 00:27:39,817 enough money to access the care she 702 00:27:39,817 --> 00:27:41,928 needed . When she returned , she told 703 00:27:41,928 --> 00:27:41,910 me that everyone in the clinic was 704 00:27:41,910 --> 00:27:44,050 wonderful , but she wished that I had 705 00:27:44,050 --> 00:27:46,161 been the one that had been there with 706 00:27:46,161 --> 00:27:48,217 her throughout this entire process . 707 00:27:48,300 --> 00:27:50,467 While my patient in this case was able 708 00:27:50,467 --> 00:27:52,578 to get the care she needed so many of 709 00:27:52,578 --> 00:27:54,633 my patients do not . They should not 710 00:27:54,633 --> 00:27:56,856 have to share their stories publicly or 711 00:27:56,856 --> 00:27:59,550 ask for financial help from strangers . 712 00:27:59,740 --> 00:28:02,360 Time is also a concern for active duty 713 00:28:02,360 --> 00:28:04,416 women . They must request leave from 714 00:28:04,416 --> 00:28:06,527 their commanding officer who may deny 715 00:28:06,527 --> 00:28:08,749 it or ask for details , forcing them to 716 00:28:08,749 --> 00:28:10,527 disclose their personal medical 717 00:28:10,527 --> 00:28:12,416 information to someone who is not 718 00:28:12,416 --> 00:28:14,749 actually involved in their medical care . 719 00:28:14,749 --> 00:28:16,860 I worry about my patients , no longer 720 00:28:16,860 --> 00:28:19,027 being able to access the care based on 721 00:28:19,027 --> 00:28:21,193 where they're stationed as active duty 722 00:28:21,193 --> 00:28:23,416 members . We do not get to choose where 723 00:28:23,416 --> 00:28:23,250 we live . We have volunteered to 724 00:28:23,250 --> 00:28:25,306 protect our country and remove every 725 00:28:25,306 --> 00:28:27,528 few years from state to state and often 726 00:28:27,528 --> 00:28:29,639 overseas to fulfill that mission , we 727 00:28:29,639 --> 00:28:31,750 cannot choose the laws under which we 728 00:28:31,750 --> 00:28:34,028 are held depending on our duty station , 729 00:28:34,028 --> 00:28:36,083 our healthcare as military members . 730 00:28:36,083 --> 00:28:38,306 Independence should not be based on the 731 00:28:38,306 --> 00:28:39,972 current duty station , but on 732 00:28:39,972 --> 00:28:42,194 consistent federal standard of care for 733 00:28:42,194 --> 00:28:44,417 military members and their dependents . 734 00:28:44,417 --> 00:28:46,250 In closing , I want to share how 735 00:28:46,250 --> 00:28:48,560 thankful I am for the recent memo from 736 00:28:48,570 --> 00:28:51,120 from scarcest narrows . Reaffirming 737 00:28:51,120 --> 00:28:54,420 that we in military medicine can and 738 00:28:54,420 --> 00:28:56,970 will continue to provide reproductive 739 00:28:56,970 --> 00:28:59,192 health care within the scope of federal 740 00:28:59,192 --> 00:29:01,880 legislation . But more needs to be done . 741 00:29:01,960 --> 00:29:03,720 I urge you to provide federal 742 00:29:03,720 --> 00:29:05,530 protection to both patients and 743 00:29:05,530 --> 00:29:07,697 physicians who provide these legal and 744 00:29:07,697 --> 00:29:09,920 needed services on federal land . I 745 00:29:09,920 --> 00:29:11,920 would urge you to go even further . 746 00:29:11,920 --> 00:29:13,864 While I truly hope to see the Hyde 747 00:29:13,864 --> 00:29:16,440 amendment overturned at the very least , 748 00:29:16,450 --> 00:29:18,117 I urge Congress to remove the 749 00:29:18,117 --> 00:29:20,339 restrictions that do not allow patients 750 00:29:20,339 --> 00:29:22,506 to self pay for abortion procedures at 751 00:29:22,506 --> 00:29:25,490 military treatment facilities as it 752 00:29:25,490 --> 00:29:27,350 exists for many other procedures 753 00:29:27,360 --> 00:29:30,180 covered by tricare preventing the same 754 00:29:30,190 --> 00:29:32,580 option for abortion services is not 755 00:29:32,580 --> 00:29:34,720 only discriminatory , it impacts the 756 00:29:34,720 --> 00:29:36,942 readiness of our armed services . And I 757 00:29:36,942 --> 00:29:38,820 fear the impact will worsen with 758 00:29:38,830 --> 00:29:41,340 unequal state restrictions that force 759 00:29:41,340 --> 00:29:43,980 patients to travel long distances and 760 00:29:43,980 --> 00:29:45,924 take leave to obtain the care they 761 00:29:45,924 --> 00:29:48,450 deserve and so desperately need . Thank 762 00:29:48,450 --> 00:29:48,890 you . 763 00:29:52,350 --> 00:29:55,710 Thank you Dr LeMay for your um 764 00:29:55,720 --> 00:29:58,830 profound comments . Um , we now welcome 765 00:29:58,830 --> 00:30:02,140 Dr gazelle Amoia D . She is a texas 766 00:30:02,140 --> 00:30:04,084 based civilian O . B . G . Y . And 767 00:30:04,084 --> 00:30:06,610 whose services ? Uh service members 768 00:30:06,620 --> 00:30:07,380 welcome . 769 00:30:10,430 --> 00:30:12,652 Good morning . My name is Dr Castle , a 770 00:30:12,652 --> 00:30:14,763 mortuary and I use she her pronouns . 771 00:30:14,763 --> 00:30:17,097 I'm a board certified O . B . G . Y . N , 772 00:30:17,097 --> 00:30:19,319 a child of Iranian immigrants , a mom , 773 00:30:19,319 --> 00:30:21,541 a Texan and a proud abortion provider . 774 00:30:21,541 --> 00:30:23,652 I serve on the board of directors for 775 00:30:23,652 --> 00:30:25,819 physicians for reproductive health and 776 00:30:25,819 --> 00:30:28,041 texas . Equal access fund , abortion is 777 00:30:28,041 --> 00:30:30,690 essential health care . Every person in 778 00:30:30,690 --> 00:30:32,634 our country has the human right to 779 00:30:32,634 --> 00:30:34,690 decide for themselves when and if to 780 00:30:34,690 --> 00:30:36,634 start a family . And that includes 781 00:30:36,634 --> 00:30:38,968 members of the armed Forces as an O . B . 782 00:30:38,968 --> 00:30:41,460 G . Y . N . I know firsthand that safe 783 00:30:41,460 --> 00:30:43,710 birth healthy families and thriving 784 00:30:43,710 --> 00:30:46,030 communities require access to abortion 785 00:30:46,030 --> 00:30:48,740 care , abortion bans disproportionately 786 00:30:48,740 --> 00:30:50,962 harm structurally oppressed communities 787 00:30:50,962 --> 00:30:53,470 and members of the Armed Forces Service 788 00:30:53,470 --> 00:30:55,526 members and their families are often 789 00:30:55,526 --> 00:30:57,748 far from their homes , young and living 790 00:30:57,748 --> 00:30:59,970 on low incomes . Few have the resources 791 00:30:59,970 --> 00:31:01,930 needed to him urgently access time 792 00:31:01,930 --> 00:31:04,550 sensitive abortion care . While I can 793 00:31:04,550 --> 00:31:06,550 talk at length about the impacts of 794 00:31:06,550 --> 00:31:08,717 abortion bands on the many communities 795 00:31:08,717 --> 00:31:10,939 that I serve today . I will speak about 796 00:31:10,939 --> 00:31:12,994 my experiences caring for members of 797 00:31:12,994 --> 00:31:14,717 the military Before becoming a 798 00:31:14,717 --> 00:31:16,772 physician , I worked for an abortion 799 00:31:16,772 --> 00:31:18,939 provider in Austin near Fort Hood . We 800 00:31:18,939 --> 00:31:21,161 routinely cared for service members and 801 00:31:21,161 --> 00:31:23,161 I witnessed the countless obstacles 802 00:31:23,161 --> 00:31:25,383 they endured to receive abortion care . 803 00:31:25,383 --> 00:31:27,272 They struggle to obtain leave for 804 00:31:27,272 --> 00:31:29,383 procedures , get rides to Austin from 805 00:31:29,383 --> 00:31:31,550 base pay for their care and even get a 806 00:31:31,550 --> 00:31:33,717 referral on where to go because of the 807 00:31:33,717 --> 00:31:35,939 culture created by unjust policies like 808 00:31:35,939 --> 00:31:37,939 the Hyde amendment . The ability to 809 00:31:37,939 --> 00:31:40,050 find our clinic often depended on one 810 00:31:40,050 --> 00:31:41,939 person on base who was willing to 811 00:31:41,939 --> 00:31:43,828 secretly give people our brochure 812 00:31:44,250 --> 00:31:46,280 essential health care for our armed 813 00:31:46,280 --> 00:31:49,540 forces hinged on a whisper network for 814 00:31:49,540 --> 00:31:51,540 those who did manage to find us . I 815 00:31:51,540 --> 00:31:54,070 can't even begin to describe the pain 816 00:31:54,080 --> 00:31:56,302 service members expressed when we would 817 00:31:56,302 --> 00:31:58,850 explain your tricare won't cover this , 818 00:31:58,910 --> 00:32:00,854 you'll have to pay out of pocket . 819 00:32:01,540 --> 00:32:03,596 After becoming a physician , I spent 820 00:32:03,596 --> 00:32:05,596 part of my training and gynecologic 821 00:32:05,596 --> 00:32:07,540 surgery on base at Fort Bliss from 822 00:32:07,540 --> 00:32:09,651 previously working near Fort Hood , I 823 00:32:09,651 --> 00:32:11,818 remembered caring for countless sexual 824 00:32:11,818 --> 00:32:13,984 assault survivors at our clinic , even 825 00:32:13,984 --> 00:32:15,984 though they technically should have 826 00:32:15,984 --> 00:32:18,262 been able to receive that care on base . 827 00:32:18,262 --> 00:32:20,262 Once at Fort Bliss , I realized the 828 00:32:20,262 --> 00:32:22,262 problem to actually access abortion 829 00:32:22,262 --> 00:32:24,429 care on base . Everything must line up 830 00:32:24,429 --> 00:32:26,651 perfectly for the survivor . I was only 831 00:32:26,651 --> 00:32:28,651 able to care for one such person at 832 00:32:28,651 --> 00:32:30,818 Fort Bliss thankfully , her commanding 833 00:32:30,818 --> 00:32:32,984 officer was supportive so she was able 834 00:32:32,984 --> 00:32:35,096 to obtain the necessary authorization 835 00:32:35,096 --> 00:32:37,207 for her abortion . As members of this 836 00:32:37,207 --> 00:32:39,300 committee know it can be incredibly 837 00:32:39,300 --> 00:32:41,522 daunting for a service member to report 838 00:32:41,522 --> 00:32:43,689 an assault committed by another member 839 00:32:43,689 --> 00:32:45,800 of the military . I was grateful that 840 00:32:45,800 --> 00:32:47,967 everything worked out for this patient 841 00:32:47,967 --> 00:32:50,078 to get the care she needed . But this 842 00:32:50,078 --> 00:32:52,189 is not how healthcare should work for 843 00:32:52,189 --> 00:32:54,522 members of our military after residency . 844 00:32:54,522 --> 00:32:56,578 I did fellowship in Hawaii , a state 845 00:32:56,578 --> 00:32:58,744 with a large military population and a 846 00:32:58,744 --> 00:33:00,744 critical healthcare destination for 847 00:33:00,744 --> 00:33:02,744 service members stationed in Asia . 848 00:33:02,744 --> 00:33:04,800 Hawaii has excellent abortion access 849 00:33:04,800 --> 00:33:06,522 and many residents can receive 850 00:33:06,522 --> 00:33:08,633 financial and transportation coverage 851 00:33:08,633 --> 00:33:10,744 for their care . That is except those 852 00:33:10,744 --> 00:33:12,911 members of the military . I will never 853 00:33:12,911 --> 00:33:15,720 forget weeping . After sitting with an 854 00:33:15,720 --> 00:33:17,831 unlisted service member who needed to 855 00:33:17,831 --> 00:33:20,250 count out quarters to afford her care . 856 00:33:21,310 --> 00:33:23,170 She asked me what parts of pain 857 00:33:23,170 --> 00:33:25,350 management she could forego , so she 858 00:33:25,350 --> 00:33:27,750 could afford her abortion . She assured 859 00:33:27,750 --> 00:33:29,990 me she was strong enough to not need 860 00:33:29,990 --> 00:33:33,510 pain medication . I was changed forever 861 00:33:33,530 --> 00:33:36,640 bearing witness to that injustice . I 862 00:33:36,640 --> 00:33:38,807 remember another patient who was raped 863 00:33:38,807 --> 00:33:40,640 by a fellow service member while 864 00:33:40,640 --> 00:33:42,807 stationed in Asia feeling unsafe . She 865 00:33:42,807 --> 00:33:44,973 could not report or seek help from her 866 00:33:44,973 --> 00:33:47,140 commanding officer . She couldn't find 867 00:33:47,140 --> 00:33:49,140 care where she was stationed and it 868 00:33:49,140 --> 00:33:51,362 took several weeks to be able to fly to 869 00:33:51,362 --> 00:33:53,084 Hawaii for care Because of the 870 00:33:53,084 --> 00:33:55,251 significant violence she endured . She 871 00:33:55,251 --> 00:33:57,251 would have ideally had her abortion 872 00:33:57,251 --> 00:33:59,307 under deep sedation , which is not a 873 00:33:59,307 --> 00:34:01,307 requirement for safe abortion , but 874 00:34:01,307 --> 00:34:03,640 might be necessary for trauma survivors . 875 00:34:03,640 --> 00:34:05,862 But access to anesthesia makes the cost 876 00:34:05,862 --> 00:34:08,084 of care considerably higher , sometimes 877 00:34:08,084 --> 00:34:10,310 over $10,000 . Since she was paying out 878 00:34:10,310 --> 00:34:12,421 of pocket . She had her abortion with 879 00:34:12,421 --> 00:34:14,421 just numbing medicine in our clinic 880 00:34:14,421 --> 00:34:16,410 while I provided skilled and 881 00:34:16,410 --> 00:34:18,632 compassionate care . It was devastating 882 00:34:18,730 --> 00:34:20,952 to see someone dedicated to serving our 883 00:34:20,952 --> 00:34:23,900 country abandoned by it . We wept 884 00:34:23,900 --> 00:34:26,190 together after her procedure . I was 885 00:34:26,200 --> 00:34:28,422 honored to be trusted with her care and 886 00:34:28,422 --> 00:34:30,478 she should have never been forced to 887 00:34:30,478 --> 00:34:32,533 come all the way to me to access her 888 00:34:32,533 --> 00:34:34,478 right to an abortion . I'll end by 889 00:34:34,478 --> 00:34:36,700 saying that we should all be incredibly 890 00:34:36,700 --> 00:34:38,589 angry at the systematic denial of 891 00:34:38,589 --> 00:34:40,811 reproductive autonomy that is happening 892 00:34:40,811 --> 00:34:42,978 to millions of people in our country . 893 00:34:42,978 --> 00:34:45,089 As we meet today . Nobody deserves to 894 00:34:45,089 --> 00:34:46,922 suffer the indignity of counting 895 00:34:46,922 --> 00:34:48,978 quarters to pay for medical care for 896 00:34:48,978 --> 00:34:51,190 going medication , to alleviate pain , 897 00:34:51,200 --> 00:34:53,910 traveling thousands of miles for basic 898 00:34:53,910 --> 00:34:56,160 health care or having whispered 899 00:34:56,160 --> 00:34:58,250 conversations about where or how to 900 00:34:58,250 --> 00:35:01,230 access care . These things happen every 901 00:35:01,230 --> 00:35:03,174 day to our service members and two 902 00:35:03,174 --> 00:35:05,397 civilians in every one of your states . 903 00:35:05,397 --> 00:35:07,780 I envision a world where everyone has 904 00:35:07,790 --> 00:35:10,240 access to culturally relevant abortion 905 00:35:10,240 --> 00:35:12,830 care in their own communities . This 906 00:35:12,830 --> 00:35:14,941 committee's jurisdiction is the armed 907 00:35:14,941 --> 00:35:17,090 forces . So I will say I will implore 908 00:35:17,100 --> 00:35:19,430 each of you to at least make this world 909 00:35:19,440 --> 00:35:21,780 a reality for our service members . 910 00:35:21,790 --> 00:35:25,250 Thank you for having me today . Thank 911 00:35:25,250 --> 00:35:27,890 you doctor . Um again , extraordinary 912 00:35:27,890 --> 00:35:31,720 testimony . Uh and it pains me as I'm 913 00:35:31,720 --> 00:35:34,030 sure it pains many of us to hear these 914 00:35:34,030 --> 00:35:36,240 stories . But their real stories um 915 00:35:36,240 --> 00:35:39,210 paying extraordinary sums of money to 916 00:35:39,210 --> 00:35:41,690 travel and get an abortion because they 917 00:35:41,690 --> 00:35:44,440 can't access an abortion at a medical 918 00:35:44,440 --> 00:35:47,030 treatment facility . And to look at the 919 00:35:47,030 --> 00:35:50,360 states again , that have 920 00:35:50,370 --> 00:35:53,630 basically banned all abortions 921 00:35:54,370 --> 00:35:58,290 and have criminalized the providers 922 00:35:58,690 --> 00:36:02,340 for giving women 923 00:36:02,350 --> 00:36:06,190 abortions . Um is also 924 00:36:06,200 --> 00:36:09,180 compelling as well . Let me start with 925 00:36:09,190 --> 00:36:12,630 um asking the two physicians is 926 00:36:12,640 --> 00:36:15,690 one of the letters that I received was 927 00:36:15,690 --> 00:36:18,180 from an army psychiatrist and she wrote . 928 00:36:18,190 --> 00:36:20,360 The risk of postpartum depression can 929 00:36:20,360 --> 00:36:22,416 be particularly high for unwanted or 930 00:36:22,416 --> 00:36:24,620 unplanned pregnancies and for women 931 00:36:24,620 --> 00:36:26,980 under significant stress . Military 932 00:36:26,980 --> 00:36:30,190 women are known to have higher rates of 933 00:36:30,190 --> 00:36:33,540 unintended pregnancy . Um Oftentimes um 934 00:36:33,540 --> 00:36:36,960 125% of the regular population 935 00:36:37,290 --> 00:36:39,234 and they may face unique stressors 936 00:36:39,234 --> 00:36:41,234 related to an unplanned pregnancy , 937 00:36:41,234 --> 00:36:43,290 including the physical and emotional 938 00:36:43,290 --> 00:36:45,346 stress of their work . The effect of 939 00:36:45,346 --> 00:36:47,234 pregnancy on one's career and the 940 00:36:47,234 --> 00:36:49,012 difficulties obtaining adequate 941 00:36:49,012 --> 00:36:51,068 childcare for long and unpredictable 942 00:36:51,068 --> 00:36:52,846 work hours . Military women are 943 00:36:52,846 --> 00:36:54,790 therefore understandably concerned 944 00:36:54,790 --> 00:36:56,790 about access to reproductive health 945 00:36:56,790 --> 00:36:59,350 care . Even before roe was overturned , 946 00:36:59,360 --> 00:37:01,100 I worked with female patients 947 00:37:01,100 --> 00:37:03,280 distraught about receiving orders to 948 00:37:03,280 --> 00:37:06,060 post in texas after the texas heartbeat 949 00:37:06,070 --> 00:37:08,190 act was passed . Some of these women 950 00:37:08,190 --> 00:37:10,134 are already in a fragile emotional 951 00:37:10,134 --> 00:37:12,190 state and have the self awareness to 952 00:37:12,190 --> 00:37:14,301 realize they are currently unequipped 953 00:37:14,301 --> 00:37:16,246 to whether the mental and physical 954 00:37:16,246 --> 00:37:18,023 stress of pregnancy , much less 955 00:37:18,023 --> 00:37:20,023 motherhood , others have prescribed 956 00:37:20,023 --> 00:37:21,746 medications contraindicated in 957 00:37:21,746 --> 00:37:23,690 pregnancy , but essential to their 958 00:37:23,690 --> 00:37:25,579 mental stability . Female service 959 00:37:25,579 --> 00:37:27,801 members may lack the financial means to 960 00:37:27,801 --> 00:37:29,912 travel for an abortion . They require 961 00:37:29,912 --> 00:37:32,079 permission from their chain of command 962 00:37:32,079 --> 00:37:34,301 even for weekend travel if it is beyond 963 00:37:34,301 --> 00:37:36,690 a certain radius and they may not trust 964 00:37:36,690 --> 00:37:38,912 the military to protect their privacy . 965 00:37:38,912 --> 00:37:40,857 Should they request such travel to 966 00:37:40,857 --> 00:37:43,079 obtain an abortion ? Even I and some of 967 00:37:43,079 --> 00:37:45,030 my female physician peers in the 968 00:37:45,030 --> 00:37:47,252 military with the relative privilege of 969 00:37:47,252 --> 00:37:49,197 being officers and physicians fear 970 00:37:49,197 --> 00:37:51,197 someday receiving orders to a state 971 00:37:51,197 --> 00:37:53,419 which is banned abortion because of the 972 00:37:53,419 --> 00:37:55,600 increased maternal mortality in areas 973 00:37:55,600 --> 00:37:57,433 without access to safe and legal 974 00:37:57,433 --> 00:37:59,630 abortion . I would not feel safe 975 00:37:59,640 --> 00:38:01,862 attempting to become pregnant in such a 976 00:38:01,862 --> 00:38:05,150 state . So dr LeMay and dr 977 00:38:05,150 --> 00:38:07,490 moody . Um that's a pretty 978 00:38:07,490 --> 00:38:09,212 extraordinary statement from a 979 00:38:09,212 --> 00:38:11,720 psychiatrist , behavioral health 980 00:38:11,720 --> 00:38:13,730 provider about the impacts of state 981 00:38:13,730 --> 00:38:15,952 restrictions on health care for service 982 00:38:15,952 --> 00:38:18,063 women as O . B . G . Y . N . S . What 983 00:38:18,063 --> 00:38:20,174 are your assessments of the impact of 984 00:38:20,174 --> 00:38:22,008 Dobbs decision on the ability of 985 00:38:22,008 --> 00:38:23,897 military and civilian health care 986 00:38:23,897 --> 00:38:26,008 providers to provide care to military 987 00:38:26,008 --> 00:38:27,008 personnel ? 988 00:38:30,700 --> 00:38:32,867 I can take this one if you want Doctor 989 00:38:32,867 --> 00:38:35,520 Moretti . Um , thank you congresswoman . 990 00:38:35,530 --> 00:38:39,070 While the recent statement from the 991 00:38:39,070 --> 00:38:42,210 undersecretary makes it clear that we 992 00:38:42,210 --> 00:38:44,350 in military medicine can and will 993 00:38:44,350 --> 00:38:47,240 continue to provide health care . Um , 994 00:38:47,250 --> 00:38:50,250 under current federal legislations , 995 00:38:50,260 --> 00:38:52,570 there are still many questions that 996 00:38:52,570 --> 00:38:55,700 remain both for patients and for 997 00:38:55,710 --> 00:38:58,440 providers in various locations . I'm 998 00:38:58,440 --> 00:39:00,273 lucky I'm currently stationed in 999 00:39:00,273 --> 00:39:02,450 Washington state . So nothing changes 1000 00:39:02,450 --> 00:39:05,430 for me , but for some of my colleagues 1001 00:39:05,430 --> 00:39:08,160 who are stationed in texas or florida 1002 00:39:08,170 --> 00:39:11,950 or Georgia or overseas , there are most 1003 00:39:11,960 --> 00:39:14,640 physicians live out in town . So there 1004 00:39:14,640 --> 00:39:17,630 are questions on if they provide an 1005 00:39:17,630 --> 00:39:19,610 abortion procedure that is legally 1006 00:39:19,610 --> 00:39:22,530 allowed , but then go home , can they 1007 00:39:22,530 --> 00:39:25,550 be arrested ? Can they be tried with 1008 00:39:25,550 --> 00:39:27,740 something and who's going to help them 1009 00:39:27,740 --> 00:39:29,962 pay for that ? Because that the cost of 1010 00:39:29,962 --> 00:39:31,907 that can be devastating . The same 1011 00:39:31,907 --> 00:39:33,930 question exists for many of our 1012 00:39:33,930 --> 00:39:36,780 patients if they get a legal abortion 1013 00:39:36,780 --> 00:39:39,530 procedure on base , but live in one of 1014 00:39:39,530 --> 00:39:43,080 these more restricted areas and have 1015 00:39:43,090 --> 00:39:45,730 bleeding or concerns and go to the 1016 00:39:45,730 --> 00:39:47,841 emergency room , are they going to be 1017 00:39:47,841 --> 00:39:50,210 arrested and for something that they 1018 00:39:50,210 --> 00:39:52,810 legally obtained on base ? Um I think 1019 00:39:52,810 --> 00:39:55,270 that that is one of the questions that 1020 00:39:55,270 --> 00:39:58,260 still exists and one of the fears that 1021 00:39:58,260 --> 00:40:01,070 I have heard both from patients and 1022 00:40:01,070 --> 00:40:03,014 from my colleagues who are in more 1023 00:40:03,014 --> 00:40:06,350 restricted areas over the last month or 1024 00:40:06,350 --> 00:40:10,190 so . Thank you . Thank you . Dr moody , 1025 00:40:11,530 --> 00:40:14,070 thank you . And you know , I'll add 1026 00:40:14,080 --> 00:40:16,302 from what you heard in my testimony and 1027 00:40:16,302 --> 00:40:18,247 what from the other witnesses have 1028 00:40:18,247 --> 00:40:20,170 testified today , the majority of 1029 00:40:20,170 --> 00:40:22,281 abortion care provided for members of 1030 00:40:22,281 --> 00:40:24,448 the military does not happen on base . 1031 00:40:24,448 --> 00:40:26,630 It happens off base . So when we're 1032 00:40:26,630 --> 00:40:29,340 talking about a state like texas , that 1033 00:40:29,340 --> 00:40:32,170 means that no one right now that is 1034 00:40:32,170 --> 00:40:34,960 stationed here has access to abortion 1035 00:40:34,960 --> 00:40:37,710 care . The nearest states . Right , 1036 00:40:37,710 --> 00:40:39,766 what are we talking about ? Oklahoma 1037 00:40:39,766 --> 00:40:41,821 doesn't have abortion care anymore . 1038 00:40:41,821 --> 00:40:43,821 Arkansas doesn't have abortion care 1039 00:40:43,821 --> 00:40:46,043 anymore . Alabama doesn't have abortion 1040 00:40:46,043 --> 00:40:48,099 care anymore . And so we're not just 1041 00:40:48,099 --> 00:40:50,154 talking about going over to the next 1042 00:40:50,154 --> 00:40:52,154 city now , which was already a huge 1043 00:40:52,154 --> 00:40:54,266 hurdle for many , many members of the 1044 00:40:54,266 --> 00:40:56,210 military . But we're talking about 1045 00:40:56,210 --> 00:40:58,432 traveling hundreds , thousands of miles 1046 00:40:58,432 --> 00:41:01,270 to be able to get what is very basic , 1047 00:41:01,280 --> 00:41:05,130 simple safe , essential health care . A 1048 00:41:05,130 --> 00:41:07,186 first trimester abortion takes about 1049 00:41:07,186 --> 00:41:09,420 3-5 minutes to complete . But someone 1050 00:41:09,420 --> 00:41:11,642 from Texas stationed at Fort Hood might 1051 00:41:11,642 --> 00:41:13,531 travel for two days to be able to 1052 00:41:13,531 --> 00:41:17,160 access that procedure . Now , thank you . 1053 00:41:17,170 --> 00:41:20,690 Um Major Arana and Major 1054 00:41:20,690 --> 00:41:22,630 Mazzello , what are some of the 1055 00:41:22,630 --> 00:41:25,160 barriers facing Service women who seek 1056 00:41:25,160 --> 00:41:28,050 an abortion ? And what have you heard 1057 00:41:28,050 --> 00:41:29,883 from service members about their 1058 00:41:29,883 --> 00:41:31,883 concerns about being stationed in a 1059 00:41:31,883 --> 00:41:34,930 state that bans abortion . Good morning , 1060 00:41:34,940 --> 00:41:37,880 thank you for the question . So um man 1061 00:41:37,880 --> 00:41:40,290 for non tricare covered abortions . 1062 00:41:40,300 --> 00:41:43,160 There's minimal to no support . Um 1063 00:41:43,160 --> 00:41:45,271 while recent changes in the Air Force 1064 00:41:45,271 --> 00:41:47,160 instructions removed the need for 1065 00:41:47,160 --> 00:41:49,438 commander's approval for the procedure . 1066 00:41:49,438 --> 00:41:51,604 Members are still left with the burden 1067 00:41:51,604 --> 00:41:53,771 of taking personal time off paying for 1068 00:41:53,771 --> 00:41:56,010 travel um out of pocket expenses for 1069 00:41:56,010 --> 00:41:58,600 the procedure as well , that these 1070 00:41:58,600 --> 00:42:01,160 restrictions also as mentioned earlier , 1071 00:42:01,170 --> 00:42:03,114 disproportionately affect training 1072 00:42:03,114 --> 00:42:05,400 bases where members have less access to 1073 00:42:05,400 --> 00:42:07,650 resources and experience additional 1074 00:42:07,650 --> 00:42:10,070 barriers to travel or leave due to 1075 00:42:10,070 --> 00:42:13,550 their training status . Major 1076 00:42:13,550 --> 00:42:17,430 Mazzello . Thank you , 1077 00:42:17,430 --> 00:42:19,597 ma'am . I would say the challenges are 1078 00:42:19,597 --> 00:42:21,763 extremely worse today . The bi monthly 1079 00:42:21,763 --> 00:42:24,000 base pay of an E one with less than two 1080 00:42:24,000 --> 00:42:27,200 years of service is a little over $900 . 1081 00:42:27,210 --> 00:42:29,710 Even if the service members ultimately 1082 00:42:29,710 --> 00:42:31,877 able to reach a clinic , they're gonna 1083 00:42:31,877 --> 00:42:33,932 face significantly longer wait times 1084 00:42:33,932 --> 00:42:36,390 increased costs due to the travel , the 1085 00:42:36,390 --> 00:42:38,600 lodging , the childcare and more 1086 00:42:38,600 --> 00:42:41,280 expensive procedures . They require 1087 00:42:41,280 --> 00:42:43,502 multiple trips to the clinic . And this 1088 00:42:43,502 --> 00:42:45,669 would add more and more costs . Not to 1089 00:42:45,669 --> 00:42:47,724 mention more and more time off . How 1090 00:42:47,724 --> 00:42:49,669 many levels of leadership will the 1091 00:42:49,669 --> 00:42:51,891 leave requests need to go through ? I'm 1092 00:42:51,891 --> 00:42:53,947 so concerned about their privacy and 1093 00:42:53,947 --> 00:42:56,113 mental health . Can our junior members 1094 00:42:56,113 --> 00:42:57,420 afford these costs ? 1095 00:43:00,000 --> 00:43:01,944 Do you think that this is going to 1096 00:43:01,944 --> 00:43:04,000 discourage women from serving in the 1097 00:43:04,000 --> 00:43:06,950 military ? Absolutely , 1098 00:43:08,090 --> 00:43:11,110 yes , ma'am . Just yesterday I shared 1099 00:43:11,110 --> 00:43:13,210 this uh hearing with one of my 1100 00:43:13,210 --> 00:43:15,660 coworkers . A fellow service member , a 1101 00:43:15,660 --> 00:43:18,270 man . Um He shared with me that his 1102 00:43:18,270 --> 00:43:20,103 wife needed an abortion after an 1103 00:43:20,103 --> 00:43:22,750 ectopic pregnancy . He stated without 1104 00:43:22,750 --> 00:43:25,090 timely access to this life saving 1105 00:43:25,090 --> 00:43:27,600 procedure . His wife could have died to 1106 00:43:27,600 --> 00:43:30,440 see this strong individual . A friend 1107 00:43:30,440 --> 00:43:32,662 stand in the hallway with almost having 1108 00:43:32,662 --> 00:43:34,718 tears in his eyes while he recounted 1109 00:43:34,718 --> 00:43:37,210 this story . It was so impactful . He 1110 00:43:37,210 --> 00:43:39,377 could have been an active duty service 1111 00:43:39,377 --> 00:43:42,730 member with a small child in a widow . 1112 00:43:42,750 --> 00:43:44,861 This was prior to the reversal of roe 1113 00:43:44,861 --> 00:43:47,110 versus wade . We further discussed the 1114 00:43:47,110 --> 00:43:49,430 concerns and what if he was stationed 1115 00:43:49,430 --> 00:43:51,920 in a state that now bans all abortions 1116 00:43:51,930 --> 00:43:54,670 access to reproductive care matters to 1117 00:43:54,670 --> 00:43:56,892 the life of fellow military members and 1118 00:43:56,892 --> 00:43:59,003 our families , both male and female . 1119 00:43:59,003 --> 00:44:01,059 And this court's decision affects us 1120 00:44:01,059 --> 00:44:04,010 all again . Thank you both for your 1121 00:44:04,010 --> 00:44:06,450 extraordinary participation . Today I 1122 00:44:06,450 --> 00:44:08,850 now yield to the ranking member . Thank 1123 00:44:08,850 --> 00:44:11,110 you . Um I think we all agree that the 1124 00:44:11,110 --> 00:44:13,388 assignment process uh and first of all , 1125 00:44:13,388 --> 00:44:15,554 thank you all for again for being here 1126 00:44:15,554 --> 00:44:17,900 and sharing your stories . Um uh The 1127 00:44:17,900 --> 00:44:19,844 assignment process is the means by 1128 00:44:19,844 --> 00:44:21,844 which the military make sure it has 1129 00:44:21,844 --> 00:44:24,067 people in the right assignments to meet 1130 00:44:24,067 --> 00:44:26,233 its mission requirements , both in the 1131 00:44:26,233 --> 00:44:28,400 continental United States and abroad . 1132 00:44:28,400 --> 00:44:30,567 So the service is right orders to unit 1133 00:44:30,567 --> 00:44:32,678 X . For a service member to go into a 1134 00:44:32,678 --> 00:44:34,567 billet or a job because there's a 1135 00:44:34,567 --> 00:44:36,800 military essential task that requires 1136 00:44:36,810 --> 00:44:38,840 specific skills and knowledge . So 1137 00:44:38,840 --> 00:44:41,130 looking to the future , let's say you 1138 00:44:41,130 --> 00:44:44,950 are given the choice to be assigned . 1139 00:44:44,960 --> 00:44:47,230 And I guess I would ask both Miss Arana 1140 00:44:47,240 --> 00:44:50,110 and uh Miss Mazzello and dr LeMay this 1141 00:44:50,110 --> 00:44:53,750 question um If you if you're given the 1142 00:44:53,750 --> 00:44:55,306 choice to be assigned to an 1143 00:44:55,306 --> 00:44:58,410 installation based on laws that were 1144 00:44:58,410 --> 00:45:00,970 favorable to your political beliefs , 1145 00:45:00,970 --> 00:45:03,137 whether it's a pro life state or a pro 1146 00:45:03,137 --> 00:45:05,303 choice state or something else , let's 1147 00:45:05,303 --> 00:45:07,414 say a state had a concealed carry law 1148 00:45:07,414 --> 00:45:09,526 that you didn't agree with or there's 1149 00:45:09,526 --> 00:45:11,359 another issue out there or maybe 1150 00:45:11,359 --> 00:45:11,150 there's an office in D . O . D . That's 1151 00:45:11,150 --> 00:45:13,206 creating an assignment matrix of red 1152 00:45:13,206 --> 00:45:15,094 and blue states based on existing 1153 00:45:15,094 --> 00:45:16,817 policies . I mean because I've 1154 00:45:16,817 --> 00:45:18,706 articulated I think the potential 1155 00:45:18,706 --> 00:45:22,100 ramifications for that . Um And for for 1156 00:45:22,100 --> 00:45:24,211 D . O . D . And the service is trying 1157 00:45:24,211 --> 00:45:26,267 to manage a system like that and for 1158 00:45:26,267 --> 00:45:28,322 service members that now need to put 1159 00:45:28,322 --> 00:45:30,211 sort of politics in their service 1160 00:45:30,211 --> 00:45:32,211 assignment equation gets unworkable 1161 00:45:32,211 --> 00:45:34,433 pretty quickly . So I guess my question 1162 00:45:34,433 --> 00:45:36,656 is whether you think that that personal 1163 00:45:36,656 --> 00:45:38,656 preference for an assignment should 1164 00:45:38,656 --> 00:45:40,790 supersede a validated military 1165 00:45:40,790 --> 00:45:42,960 requirement for your service to assign 1166 00:45:42,960 --> 00:45:45,240 you where they need you if that makes 1167 00:45:45,240 --> 00:45:47,351 sense . Start with you . MS . Arana . 1168 00:45:47,420 --> 00:45:49,760 Thank you sir . So again we're not 1169 00:45:49,760 --> 00:45:51,593 talking about assignment and the 1170 00:45:51,593 --> 00:45:53,427 assignment process here and I do 1171 00:45:53,427 --> 00:45:55,649 believe that the end of the day it's um 1172 00:45:55,649 --> 00:45:57,704 the needs of the military um because 1173 00:45:57,704 --> 00:45:59,760 that's why I'm here and that's why I 1174 00:45:59,760 --> 00:46:01,927 serve . Um I do believe though that as 1175 00:46:01,927 --> 00:46:03,927 a serving member , I am also owed a 1176 00:46:03,927 --> 00:46:06,920 standard of care and we talk about 1177 00:46:06,930 --> 00:46:09,590 access to healthcare and standardized 1178 00:46:09,590 --> 00:46:12,180 health care that shouldn't change based 1179 00:46:12,190 --> 00:46:14,870 on the state that I am stationed . I 1180 00:46:14,870 --> 00:46:16,940 have four daughters and I would 1181 00:46:16,940 --> 00:46:19,300 hesitate to take any of them to a state 1182 00:46:19,310 --> 00:46:21,532 where I know that their bodily autonomy 1183 00:46:21,532 --> 00:46:24,090 is not going to be respected . I don't 1184 00:46:24,090 --> 00:46:28,040 believe that this is a um political 1185 00:46:28,050 --> 00:46:30,640 issue as you stated earlier . I believe 1186 00:46:30,640 --> 00:46:32,862 that a person's health care should be a 1187 00:46:32,862 --> 00:46:35,084 discussion between the member and their 1188 00:46:35,084 --> 00:46:36,807 medical provider . Health care 1189 00:46:36,807 --> 00:46:39,240 shouldn't be politicized . I shouldn't 1190 00:46:39,240 --> 00:46:41,560 have to be here today telling my 1191 00:46:41,560 --> 00:46:44,940 private story in this very public forum . 1192 00:46:45,290 --> 00:46:47,500 But I am here today in the hopes that 1193 00:46:47,510 --> 00:46:50,290 by telling my story , I humanize this 1194 00:46:50,300 --> 00:46:53,190 issue and and bring to light highlight 1195 00:46:53,200 --> 00:46:55,600 that health care is not a political 1196 00:46:55,610 --> 00:46:57,554 issue and it's not about political 1197 00:46:57,554 --> 00:46:59,610 leanings . It is about understanding 1198 00:46:59,610 --> 00:47:01,650 that everyone has the right to 1199 00:47:01,650 --> 00:47:04,590 comprehensive medical care to include 1200 00:47:04,600 --> 00:47:07,580 abortion access . And I hope that with 1201 00:47:07,580 --> 00:47:09,802 this discussion and with this hearing , 1202 00:47:09,802 --> 00:47:12,660 we can redirect this conversation and 1203 00:47:12,670 --> 00:47:15,930 understand or accept that the welfare 1204 00:47:15,940 --> 00:47:18,940 safety of our service members and their 1205 00:47:18,940 --> 00:47:20,884 families that are also affected by 1206 00:47:20,884 --> 00:47:23,170 these policies become the priority . 1207 00:47:23,200 --> 00:47:26,690 Thank you . Thank you Mismo 1208 00:47:26,690 --> 00:47:29,890 Zillow . Thank you for your question . 1209 00:47:29,900 --> 00:47:32,310 Um , this is a question of healthcare , 1210 00:47:32,310 --> 00:47:34,600 not political views . So I can say 1211 00:47:34,600 --> 00:47:36,822 without a without a question . If I had 1212 00:47:36,822 --> 00:47:38,933 not access to an abortion as a junior 1213 00:47:38,933 --> 00:47:41,044 enlisted service member , I would not 1214 00:47:41,044 --> 00:47:43,100 have served in your military for the 1215 00:47:43,100 --> 00:47:44,989 last 20 years . A service women's 1216 00:47:44,989 --> 00:47:47,156 access to reproductive care should not 1217 00:47:47,156 --> 00:47:49,378 depend on what state they are stationed 1218 00:47:49,378 --> 00:47:52,920 to texas , Arizona florida 1219 00:47:52,930 --> 00:47:56,730 Georgia Ohio south Dakota Oklahoma 1220 00:47:56,740 --> 00:48:00,510 Missouri Arkansas Mississippi Alabama 1221 00:48:00,520 --> 00:48:02,920 and south Carolina . They're all homes 1222 00:48:02,920 --> 00:48:05,142 of large military installations and now 1223 00:48:05,142 --> 00:48:07,250 they almost fully or almost ban 1224 00:48:07,250 --> 00:48:09,730 abortions . Please think of the story , 1225 00:48:09,730 --> 00:48:11,952 I just told you about that mail service 1226 00:48:11,952 --> 00:48:14,063 coworker . This makes me fear for all 1227 00:48:14,063 --> 00:48:16,340 my fellow service members . I'm sharing 1228 00:48:16,350 --> 00:48:19,270 My story because I care about access to 1229 00:48:19,270 --> 00:48:21,437 safe reproductive care , not political 1230 00:48:21,437 --> 00:48:23,603 views . And I care about my sisters in 1231 00:48:23,603 --> 00:48:25,850 the armed forces . I believe we all 1232 00:48:25,850 --> 00:48:27,850 deserve this right . No matter what 1233 00:48:27,850 --> 00:48:30,320 state what state the military sends us 1234 00:48:30,320 --> 00:48:33,670 to as service members , we defend your 1235 00:48:33,670 --> 00:48:36,230 freedoms . Please defend mine and my 1236 00:48:36,230 --> 00:48:38,920 access to reproductive care . Thank you . 1237 00:48:38,930 --> 00:48:41,263 Thank you . I only have 30 seconds left . 1238 00:48:41,263 --> 00:48:43,263 So I apologize to other witnesses . 1239 00:48:43,263 --> 00:48:45,208 Unfortunately , I think , I mean , 1240 00:48:45,208 --> 00:48:47,152 health care , the reality is is an 1241 00:48:47,152 --> 00:48:49,374 intensely political issue in so much as 1242 00:48:49,374 --> 00:48:51,430 the political process is how we make 1243 00:48:51,430 --> 00:48:53,597 decisions on how health care should be 1244 00:48:53,597 --> 00:48:55,430 provided . And that's what we're 1245 00:48:55,430 --> 00:48:57,652 working through right now . Very thorny 1246 00:48:57,652 --> 00:48:59,763 questions about health care should be 1247 00:48:59,763 --> 00:49:01,819 provided . And the reason I focus on 1248 00:49:01,819 --> 00:49:03,763 this issue of um , assignments and 1249 00:49:03,763 --> 00:49:05,652 whether service member preference 1250 00:49:05,652 --> 00:49:08,000 should supersede . Uh , the law of the 1251 00:49:08,000 --> 00:49:10,180 land is that is what was initially 1252 00:49:10,180 --> 00:49:12,990 suggested by the pentagon . And that is 1253 00:49:12,990 --> 00:49:15,360 what occasioned the debate in this 1254 00:49:15,360 --> 00:49:17,249 committee and in the Senate . And 1255 00:49:17,249 --> 00:49:19,082 that's what we're trying to work 1256 00:49:19,082 --> 00:49:21,304 through uh , in good faith , uh , right 1257 00:49:21,304 --> 00:49:23,527 now . So I look forward to the day when 1258 00:49:23,527 --> 00:49:25,693 there's a , I guess a less politicized 1259 00:49:25,693 --> 00:49:27,749 discussion on health care . But it's 1260 00:49:27,749 --> 00:49:29,916 been my observation in in six years of 1261 00:49:29,916 --> 00:49:31,860 being here that it's a very , very 1262 00:49:31,860 --> 00:49:34,027 difficult topic that requires us to to 1263 00:49:34,027 --> 00:49:36,027 talk about it through the political 1264 00:49:36,027 --> 00:49:38,360 process . I'm out of time ? I apologize . 1265 00:49:38,360 --> 00:49:40,471 I thank the gentleman . Um , I have a 1266 00:49:40,471 --> 00:49:44,170 question . Uh , do you think that 1267 00:49:44,180 --> 00:49:46,180 service members should have to take 1268 00:49:46,180 --> 00:49:48,291 personal leave in order to access the 1269 00:49:48,291 --> 00:49:50,291 health care that's not available to 1270 00:49:50,291 --> 00:49:52,124 them at their military treatment 1271 00:49:52,124 --> 00:49:54,610 facility ? Yes . Do I think that 1272 00:49:54,610 --> 00:49:57,090 service members should have to take a 1273 00:49:57,100 --> 00:50:00,610 personal leave in order to 1274 00:50:00,620 --> 00:50:03,680 access to like to go get an abortion in 1275 00:50:03,680 --> 00:50:06,400 the state where it's legal , correct ? 1276 00:50:06,410 --> 00:50:08,688 Well , in the current system right now , 1277 00:50:09,380 --> 00:50:12,240 would it be illegal for some for the 1278 00:50:12,240 --> 00:50:15,440 command to grant them leave to get that 1279 00:50:15,450 --> 00:50:17,783 to get an abortion in a different state ? 1280 00:50:18,120 --> 00:50:20,287 I don't , but well , we can ask that , 1281 00:50:20,287 --> 00:50:22,398 certainly of um the Under secretary , 1282 00:50:22,398 --> 00:50:24,620 but I think it's the fact that we don't 1283 00:50:24,620 --> 00:50:27,660 offer the healthcare at the military 1284 00:50:27,660 --> 00:50:30,040 treatment facility where they are means 1285 00:50:30,040 --> 00:50:32,300 that they then have to take um they 1286 00:50:32,310 --> 00:50:35,630 they're what leave they have and use it 1287 00:50:35,640 --> 00:50:38,460 to get healthcare , which seems like 1288 00:50:38,460 --> 00:50:42,030 it's once again another punitive step . 1289 00:50:42,040 --> 00:50:45,260 And I think , I think you and I are on 1290 00:50:45,260 --> 00:50:47,260 the same page when you talk about , 1291 00:50:47,260 --> 00:50:50,550 there shouldn't be an ability to pick 1292 00:50:50,560 --> 00:50:53,270 the state in which you serve . But we 1293 00:50:53,270 --> 00:50:56,650 have 100 and two installations right 1294 00:50:56,650 --> 00:51:00,440 now on that map , 102 installations in 1295 00:51:00,450 --> 00:51:03,710 the United States that will in which 1296 00:51:03,720 --> 00:51:07,170 the state's ban totally ban 1297 00:51:07,180 --> 00:51:10,040 access to abortion care . I mean , 1298 00:51:10,050 --> 00:51:12,100 that's an extraordinary number . We 1299 00:51:12,100 --> 00:51:14,730 have another 29 installations where 1300 00:51:14,730 --> 00:51:17,870 they're about to ban abortions . So , 1301 00:51:17,880 --> 00:51:19,890 you know , we've got to take a step 1302 00:51:19,900 --> 00:51:23,880 back and recognize that um you can't 1303 00:51:23,890 --> 00:51:26,840 on top of forcing these service members 1304 00:51:26,840 --> 00:51:28,930 to go large distances to get an 1305 00:51:28,930 --> 00:51:30,930 abortion , that we're then going to 1306 00:51:30,930 --> 00:51:33,152 penalize them with the costs associated 1307 00:51:33,152 --> 00:51:36,690 with the travel and lose 1308 00:51:36,690 --> 00:51:39,580 their vacation time . What little there 1309 00:51:39,580 --> 00:51:41,730 is , I mean , we're creating a real 1310 00:51:41,730 --> 00:51:43,952 incentive for women not to serve and in 1311 00:51:43,952 --> 00:51:45,674 some respects , it's almost an 1312 00:51:45,674 --> 00:51:48,580 insidious effort to encourage women to 1313 00:51:48,580 --> 00:51:50,580 leave the military . And that's the 1314 00:51:50,580 --> 00:51:52,580 last thing that I wanted to say . I 1315 00:51:52,580 --> 00:51:54,691 think I think we're trying to do here 1316 00:51:54,691 --> 00:51:56,247 today and obviously we have 1317 00:51:56,247 --> 00:51:58,247 disagreements on both sides on this 1318 00:51:58,247 --> 00:52:00,413 issue and I'm not sort of , you know , 1319 00:52:00,413 --> 00:52:02,413 I hope you appreciate the spirit in 1320 00:52:02,413 --> 00:52:04,636 which I'm engaging in this debate is to 1321 00:52:04,636 --> 00:52:06,770 work through all of these these uh 1322 00:52:06,780 --> 00:52:08,947 issues and understand what the D . O . 1323 00:52:08,947 --> 00:52:11,860 D . S proposed policy is , understand 1324 00:52:11,870 --> 00:52:14,740 all of the issues associated with a 1325 00:52:14,750 --> 00:52:18,240 post Dobbs role . Uh my understanding 1326 00:52:18,240 --> 00:52:20,270 in that particular instance , it I 1327 00:52:20,270 --> 00:52:22,430 think , and then you can correct me . 1328 00:52:22,440 --> 00:52:24,662 One issue is that it would run into the 1329 00:52:24,662 --> 00:52:26,829 Hyde amendment . Right . We would then 1330 00:52:26,829 --> 00:52:28,840 have to fund the actual , 1331 00:52:29,410 --> 00:52:31,730 potentially , potentially . But again , 1332 00:52:31,730 --> 00:52:33,841 that's what that's what we're working 1333 00:52:33,841 --> 00:52:35,897 through here today . I think in good 1334 00:52:35,897 --> 00:52:37,952 faith . Okay , Alright . I thank you 1335 00:52:37,952 --> 00:52:40,030 for that interchange . Um I now 1336 00:52:40,040 --> 00:52:43,090 recognize Miss Hoolahan for five 1337 00:52:43,090 --> 00:52:47,060 minutes . Thank you Madam Chair . And I 1338 00:52:47,060 --> 00:52:49,600 really do appreciate the spirit of a 1339 00:52:49,600 --> 00:52:52,340 conversation . I was that one person 1340 00:52:52,340 --> 00:52:54,284 who voted on the other side of the 1341 00:52:54,284 --> 00:52:56,340 aisle that said that we shouldn't be 1342 00:52:56,340 --> 00:52:58,396 able to pick where we're serving . I 1343 00:52:58,396 --> 00:53:00,562 served in the military myself . My dad 1344 00:53:00,562 --> 00:53:02,618 and my grandfather more than 30 year 1345 00:53:02,618 --> 00:53:04,784 careers , each of them as well . And I 1346 00:53:04,784 --> 00:53:06,896 remember being a young girl um moving 1347 00:53:06,896 --> 00:53:09,062 around almost every single year and my 1348 00:53:09,062 --> 00:53:11,284 father would say , we don't get to pick 1349 00:53:11,284 --> 00:53:13,507 you know , where we're going . And so I 1350 00:53:13,507 --> 00:53:15,673 really , really appreciate Miss Ariana 1351 00:53:15,673 --> 00:53:17,673 Iran . I think you and I share that 1352 00:53:17,673 --> 00:53:19,729 sort of sense of the on the needs of 1353 00:53:19,729 --> 00:53:21,896 the military drive where it is that we 1354 00:53:21,896 --> 00:53:23,896 need to be . But I am so enormously 1355 00:53:23,896 --> 00:53:25,840 compelled and appreciative of your 1356 00:53:25,840 --> 00:53:27,896 testimony both of you Because when I 1357 00:53:27,896 --> 00:53:30,118 served , I was a young mother as well . 1358 00:53:30,118 --> 00:53:32,090 And I remember having very limited 1359 00:53:32,090 --> 00:53:34,330 leave and not being able to travel . I 1360 00:53:34,330 --> 00:53:36,552 cannot remember it was such a long time 1361 00:53:36,552 --> 00:53:38,441 ago whether it was 90 miles or 90 1362 00:53:38,441 --> 00:53:41,090 minutes without having to request leave . 1363 00:53:41,100 --> 00:53:43,170 Uh and so that would have certainly 1364 00:53:43,170 --> 00:53:45,400 limited my opportunities had I needed 1365 00:53:45,400 --> 00:53:47,970 to make those kinds of decisions for my 1366 00:53:47,970 --> 00:53:49,692 own health care . And I'm also 1367 00:53:49,692 --> 00:53:52,400 wondering back to my own mother who was 1368 00:53:52,410 --> 00:53:55,370 a military , a navy mom as well as my 1369 00:53:55,370 --> 00:53:58,380 grandmother , Navy mom . And they had 1370 00:53:58,380 --> 00:54:00,380 their Children and my grandmother's 1371 00:54:00,380 --> 00:54:02,850 case seven Children in my mom's case to 1372 00:54:02,860 --> 00:54:05,030 um what the sorts of decisions and 1373 00:54:05,030 --> 00:54:07,197 choices that they may have had to make 1374 00:54:07,197 --> 00:54:09,620 while they were naval moms as well . So 1375 00:54:09,620 --> 00:54:11,787 I thank you very much for your bravery 1376 00:54:11,787 --> 00:54:14,230 and your uh enormously compassionate 1377 00:54:14,230 --> 00:54:16,540 and articulate um expression of this 1378 00:54:16,540 --> 00:54:18,890 personal journey that you've . Would 1379 00:54:18,890 --> 00:54:21,001 you be able to talk a little bit more 1380 00:54:21,001 --> 00:54:23,350 about the privacy issues that you both 1381 00:54:23,350 --> 00:54:25,390 of you talked about ? I remember um 1382 00:54:25,390 --> 00:54:27,557 also struggling with whether or not to 1383 00:54:27,557 --> 00:54:29,668 share certain issues of mental health 1384 00:54:29,668 --> 00:54:31,834 while I was active duty . Would you be 1385 00:54:31,834 --> 00:54:33,890 able to talk a little bit more about 1386 00:54:33,890 --> 00:54:35,946 why you felt as though you needed to 1387 00:54:35,946 --> 00:54:37,890 hide or not discuss these kinds of 1388 00:54:37,890 --> 00:54:39,890 things with your chain of command . 1389 00:54:39,890 --> 00:54:42,190 Miss Ariana , please thank you 1390 00:54:42,190 --> 00:54:44,560 congressman for the question . Um I 1391 00:54:44,560 --> 00:54:46,671 believe that in the military there is 1392 00:54:46,671 --> 00:54:49,640 still a stigma surrounding this topic . 1393 00:54:49,650 --> 00:54:52,990 Um just you know , even coming here and 1394 00:54:52,990 --> 00:54:55,101 before I was able to come here in the 1395 00:54:55,101 --> 00:54:57,268 statement I have to give and make sure 1396 00:54:57,268 --> 00:54:59,379 that it was understood that these are 1397 00:54:59,379 --> 00:55:01,601 not the Air force's views and these are 1398 00:55:01,601 --> 00:55:03,823 mine personally . Um it makes it really 1399 00:55:03,823 --> 00:55:06,046 hard and difficult to talk about this . 1400 00:55:06,150 --> 00:55:08,560 Um while we say that , you know , I 1401 00:55:08,560 --> 00:55:10,727 talk a firm believer , we shouldn't be 1402 00:55:10,727 --> 00:55:12,838 politicizing our health care issues . 1403 00:55:12,838 --> 00:55:15,060 When I am at work , I can talk about my 1404 00:55:15,060 --> 00:55:17,227 mental health care issues because that 1405 00:55:17,227 --> 00:55:19,282 is the thing that's encouraged , you 1406 00:55:19,282 --> 00:55:21,171 know , let's be open and let's be 1407 00:55:21,171 --> 00:55:23,116 transparent and and let's help one 1408 00:55:23,116 --> 00:55:25,171 another out . But when we talk about 1409 00:55:25,171 --> 00:55:27,282 abortion specifically , this is not a 1410 00:55:27,282 --> 00:55:29,504 topic that is except in the office . Um 1411 00:55:29,504 --> 00:55:31,227 we don't speak about this . We 1412 00:55:31,227 --> 00:55:33,393 definitely it's amongst friends only . 1413 00:55:33,393 --> 00:55:35,790 Um , you don't advertise it because you 1414 00:55:35,790 --> 00:55:37,790 don't know who you work for and you 1415 00:55:37,790 --> 00:55:40,260 don't know what their views are on this . 1416 00:55:40,270 --> 00:55:42,670 And if you have a supervisor , um , who 1417 00:55:42,670 --> 00:55:44,850 doesn't support your decisions , it 1418 00:55:44,850 --> 00:55:46,961 could always come back to you as well 1419 00:55:46,961 --> 00:55:50,270 and punitive effectively . Um , but yes , 1420 00:55:50,270 --> 00:55:52,437 it's a very uncomfortable situation to 1421 00:55:52,437 --> 00:55:54,603 be in . And the fact that we have this 1422 00:55:54,603 --> 00:55:56,714 culture where our policies also don't 1423 00:55:56,714 --> 00:55:58,770 support it . That just enforces that 1424 00:55:58,770 --> 00:56:00,830 stigma . You know , um , we're not 1425 00:56:00,830 --> 00:56:03,730 taught to , we're not educated in the 1426 00:56:03,730 --> 00:56:05,740 military on what our rights and our 1427 00:56:05,750 --> 00:56:08,690 accesses are with regard to accessing 1428 00:56:08,690 --> 00:56:11,050 emergency contraceptives or you know , 1429 00:56:11,050 --> 00:56:13,470 whether it's rape , incest or life to 1430 00:56:13,470 --> 00:56:15,637 the mother that you can have tricare . 1431 00:56:15,637 --> 00:56:17,859 Most people don't know this information 1432 00:56:17,859 --> 00:56:19,859 because we're not told either . And 1433 00:56:19,859 --> 00:56:21,970 unless we go out as service members , 1434 00:56:21,970 --> 00:56:23,748 both men and women seeking this 1435 00:56:23,748 --> 00:56:25,914 information ourselves . Um , and doing 1436 00:56:25,914 --> 00:56:27,637 the homework . It's , it's not 1437 00:56:27,637 --> 00:56:29,692 advertised to the rest of us . Thank 1438 00:56:29,692 --> 00:56:31,859 you . And I'm sorry to interrupt cause 1439 00:56:31,859 --> 00:56:33,914 I only have one more minute . I have 1440 00:56:33,914 --> 00:56:35,970 one other question for the doctor as 1441 00:56:35,970 --> 00:56:35,500 well , which is , would you speak a 1442 00:56:35,500 --> 00:56:37,910 little bit to miscarriage . Uh , and to 1443 00:56:37,910 --> 00:56:40,280 your experience in this particular very , 1444 00:56:40,280 --> 00:56:42,800 very common occurrence and how both 1445 00:56:42,800 --> 00:56:44,967 either active duty women or or spouses 1446 00:56:44,967 --> 00:56:47,189 are experiencing that with relationship 1447 00:56:47,189 --> 00:56:49,260 to abortion access and health care . 1448 00:56:58,250 --> 00:57:01,070 Um , so I can speak to miscarriage care 1449 00:57:01,070 --> 00:57:04,730 in my state off of base not having a 1450 00:57:04,740 --> 00:57:06,670 first of all restricting abortion 1451 00:57:06,670 --> 00:57:09,550 access always impacts all pregnancy 1452 00:57:09,550 --> 00:57:12,080 care . And so the fact that abortion is 1453 00:57:12,080 --> 00:57:14,302 now illegal in the state of texas makes 1454 00:57:14,302 --> 00:57:16,520 pregnancy in general more dangerous . 1455 00:57:16,530 --> 00:57:18,419 Over the past year , we have been 1456 00:57:18,419 --> 00:57:20,670 seeing that physicians across the state 1457 00:57:20,670 --> 00:57:22,340 have been delaying lifesaving 1458 00:57:22,340 --> 00:57:24,420 interventions for miscarriage care 1459 00:57:24,430 --> 00:57:26,652 because they are worried about how they 1460 00:57:26,652 --> 00:57:28,874 intersect with the abortion bans in our 1461 00:57:28,874 --> 00:57:30,819 state . They've also been delaying 1462 00:57:30,819 --> 00:57:32,874 lifesaving interventions for ectopic 1463 00:57:32,874 --> 00:57:35,041 pregnancy care again , because they're 1464 00:57:35,041 --> 00:57:36,819 worried about how abortion bans 1465 00:57:36,819 --> 00:57:38,874 intersect with the care of pregnancy 1466 00:57:38,874 --> 00:57:41,280 complications . So it is um , it should 1467 00:57:41,280 --> 00:57:43,502 be a huge concern for service members , 1468 00:57:43,502 --> 00:57:45,447 Service members , spouses that are 1469 00:57:45,447 --> 00:57:47,724 stationed in States with abortion bans , 1470 00:57:47,724 --> 00:57:49,891 how they will be treated and how their 1471 00:57:49,891 --> 00:57:52,002 lives will be valued throughout their 1472 00:57:52,002 --> 00:57:54,113 pregnancies . Thank you . My time has 1473 00:57:54,113 --> 00:57:57,060 expired and I yield back , generally 1474 00:57:57,070 --> 00:57:59,120 yields back . The gentleman is 1475 00:57:59,120 --> 00:58:01,490 recognized Mr kim for five minutes . 1476 00:58:01,500 --> 00:58:04,450 Thank you . Chairwoman . Thank you all 1477 00:58:04,450 --> 00:58:08,380 for me . Um I apologize Mr 1478 00:58:08,380 --> 00:58:11,800 Fallon has joined us . So , um we will 1479 00:58:11,800 --> 00:58:13,856 turn to Mr Fallon for five minutes . 1480 00:58:14,690 --> 00:58:16,690 Thank you , madam . Chair . I don't 1481 00:58:16,690 --> 00:58:18,690 have any questions for this panel . 1482 00:58:18,690 --> 00:58:20,412 Thank you . I yield back . The 1483 00:58:20,412 --> 00:58:22,523 gentleman yields back . The gentleman 1484 00:58:22,523 --> 00:58:24,690 from New Jersey is recognized for five 1485 00:58:24,690 --> 00:58:26,940 minutes . Okay , I'm back . Um I just 1486 00:58:26,940 --> 00:58:29,051 want to say thank you from the outset 1487 00:58:29,051 --> 00:58:30,670 here for all of you and your 1488 00:58:30,670 --> 00:58:33,780 testimonies um in the 1489 00:58:33,790 --> 00:58:36,350 3.5 years or so that I've been here in 1490 00:58:36,350 --> 00:58:38,461 Congress ? I've had a lot of hearings 1491 00:58:38,461 --> 00:58:40,628 here in this committee room and I have 1492 00:58:40,628 --> 00:58:42,794 to say , I believe this one to be just 1493 00:58:42,794 --> 00:58:44,850 just at the top in terms of the most 1494 00:58:44,850 --> 00:58:47,128 powerful ones that I've been a part of , 1495 00:58:47,128 --> 00:58:49,183 um , to be able to hear your stories 1496 00:58:49,183 --> 00:58:51,183 firsthand . I want to thank you for 1497 00:58:51,183 --> 00:58:53,239 your willingness to come forward and 1498 00:58:53,239 --> 00:58:55,590 share that with us . It's important for 1499 00:58:55,590 --> 00:58:57,660 us to hear this for me . I've never 1500 00:58:57,660 --> 00:59:01,000 served in uniform . Um , not a woman . 1501 00:59:01,000 --> 00:59:03,330 I'm not a mother for me to be able to 1502 00:59:03,330 --> 00:59:07,050 understand your perspective . Um , what 1503 00:59:07,050 --> 00:59:09,161 you've gone through your experience , 1504 00:59:09,161 --> 00:59:11,106 it's invaluable . So I want to say 1505 00:59:11,106 --> 00:59:14,600 thank you when I hear your stories . 1506 00:59:14,740 --> 00:59:17,170 Something that really stands out pretty 1507 00:59:17,170 --> 00:59:19,960 much in every single one is about how 1508 00:59:21,430 --> 00:59:24,180 some circumstance came about , that 1509 00:59:24,190 --> 00:59:27,510 helped you along this path . Mr rana . 1510 00:59:27,510 --> 00:59:29,677 You talked about how you just happened 1511 00:59:29,677 --> 00:59:32,180 to be having a trip back to your 1512 00:59:32,180 --> 00:59:34,347 hometown in Brooklyn , Is that right ? 1513 00:59:34,580 --> 00:59:37,500 And I think MS Mozilla mentioned that , 1514 00:59:37,510 --> 00:59:39,732 you know , just happened that there was 1515 00:59:39,732 --> 00:59:41,960 one friend that could bring her forward 1516 00:59:43,470 --> 00:59:47,370 and I I just get really moved by 1517 00:59:47,370 --> 00:59:50,660 that that just these circumstances just 1518 00:59:50,670 --> 00:59:52,781 came about and and it just bothers me 1519 00:59:52,781 --> 00:59:54,892 because it shouldn't have to hinge on 1520 00:59:54,892 --> 00:59:57,010 just that kind of for your 1521 00:59:57,010 --> 00:59:59,066 circumstances . Mr rana . Just brute 1522 00:59:59,066 --> 01:00:01,343 luck that you happened to be scheduled . 1523 01:00:01,343 --> 01:00:03,566 I wanted to ask you , What do you think 1524 01:00:03,566 --> 01:00:05,677 would have happened , had you not had 1525 01:00:05,677 --> 01:00:08,950 that trip scheduled back home ? Thank 1526 01:00:08,950 --> 01:00:10,894 you for the question . I know what 1527 01:00:10,894 --> 01:00:12,950 would have happened is um would have 1528 01:00:12,950 --> 01:00:15,006 been one of two things if I wouldn't 1529 01:00:15,006 --> 01:00:17,006 have been able if I would have been 1530 01:00:17,006 --> 01:00:16,680 forced to carry through with the 1531 01:00:16,680 --> 01:00:19,210 pregnancy because I was on my way to 1532 01:00:19,220 --> 01:00:21,109 technical school to intel officer 1533 01:00:21,109 --> 01:00:23,331 school in texas . Um my training either 1534 01:00:23,331 --> 01:00:25,590 would have been curtailed or I would 1535 01:00:25,590 --> 01:00:27,757 have been sent to another station . It 1536 01:00:27,757 --> 01:00:30,430 would have affected the entire path of 1537 01:00:30,440 --> 01:00:33,560 my career . And 1538 01:00:34,870 --> 01:00:37,690 Mismo Zillow , you told the story about 1539 01:00:37,690 --> 01:00:40,170 how you didn't know very many people 1540 01:00:40,170 --> 01:00:42,890 there and there was one person that was 1541 01:00:42,890 --> 01:00:45,001 able to drive you . What do you think 1542 01:00:45,001 --> 01:00:47,112 would have happened ? Had you not met 1543 01:00:47,112 --> 01:00:49,279 that person , had that person not been 1544 01:00:49,279 --> 01:00:52,150 willing to help you out ? Thank you for 1545 01:00:52,150 --> 01:00:54,240 your question . I thought about that 1546 01:00:54,250 --> 01:00:58,050 too many times and many times I joined 1547 01:00:58,050 --> 01:01:01,150 the air force for an economic step up 1548 01:01:01,150 --> 01:01:03,650 in a career where my life would have 1549 01:01:03,650 --> 01:01:05,872 went if I didn't have that abortion . I 1550 01:01:05,872 --> 01:01:09,860 have no idea and I truly , truly value 1551 01:01:09,860 --> 01:01:13,230 and credit that abortion provider 19 1552 01:01:13,230 --> 01:01:15,860 years ago for where I am today and I 1553 01:01:15,860 --> 01:01:17,971 couldn't tell you where my life would 1554 01:01:17,971 --> 01:01:20,193 be . But I know one thing I wouldn't be 1555 01:01:20,193 --> 01:01:22,360 standing here before you today telling 1556 01:01:22,360 --> 01:01:24,471 my story and trying to make an impact 1557 01:01:24,471 --> 01:01:26,804 for my fellow service women . Thank you . 1558 01:01:26,804 --> 01:01:28,749 Thank you . It just really hits me 1559 01:01:28,749 --> 01:01:30,749 because you know we're here on this 1560 01:01:30,749 --> 01:01:32,916 committee trying to make sure that you 1561 01:01:32,916 --> 01:01:35,027 have the services that you need , the 1562 01:01:35,027 --> 01:01:37,138 infrastructure you need to be able to 1563 01:01:37,138 --> 01:01:39,249 and serve our nation and and for this 1564 01:01:39,249 --> 01:01:41,304 for your own choices to come down to 1565 01:01:41,304 --> 01:01:43,249 just these , these circumstances , 1566 01:01:43,249 --> 01:01:45,416 these happenstance of of trips and and 1567 01:01:45,416 --> 01:01:47,638 people to be able to help out . It just 1568 01:01:47,638 --> 01:01:49,749 shows and reinforce it to me just how 1569 01:01:49,749 --> 01:01:51,804 broken of the system , how we failed 1570 01:01:51,804 --> 01:01:53,916 you in terms of being able to provide 1571 01:01:53,916 --> 01:01:55,916 you what you needed . Mr rana . You 1572 01:01:55,916 --> 01:01:58,138 were saying that this was all happening 1573 01:01:58,138 --> 01:01:58,040 when you were graduating from officer 1574 01:01:58,040 --> 01:02:00,270 training School . Is that right ? And 1575 01:02:00,270 --> 01:02:02,840 I'm sure that a part of that officer 1576 01:02:02,840 --> 01:02:05,430 training school program was about um , 1577 01:02:05,440 --> 01:02:07,662 you know , your physical well being and 1578 01:02:07,662 --> 01:02:09,770 training and and exercise , is that 1579 01:02:09,770 --> 01:02:13,600 correct ? So obviously a big part of 1580 01:02:13,600 --> 01:02:16,100 that was about your health care , about 1581 01:02:16,100 --> 01:02:18,267 making sure that you're physically fit 1582 01:02:18,267 --> 01:02:20,400 to be a service member and being able 1583 01:02:20,400 --> 01:02:23,050 to to exercise the duties of that 1584 01:02:23,050 --> 01:02:25,420 position . Is that correct ? Would you 1585 01:02:25,420 --> 01:02:27,587 say that your health care when it came 1586 01:02:27,587 --> 01:02:29,870 to having an abortion ? That that was 1587 01:02:29,870 --> 01:02:32,092 something that would have affected your 1588 01:02:32,092 --> 01:02:34,148 well being , your health care , your 1589 01:02:34,148 --> 01:02:36,203 ability to be able to do your duty . 1590 01:02:36,203 --> 01:02:38,426 Absolutely . I think that you know , we 1591 01:02:38,426 --> 01:02:40,203 as military members , we have a 1592 01:02:40,203 --> 01:02:42,170 responsibility to remain worldwide 1593 01:02:42,170 --> 01:02:45,210 deployable . Um , and I think but yet 1594 01:02:45,210 --> 01:02:47,377 when it comes to abortion specifically 1595 01:02:47,377 --> 01:02:49,490 we are completely abandoned by the 1596 01:02:49,490 --> 01:02:52,530 system and left to the luck of where we 1597 01:02:52,530 --> 01:02:55,150 are stationed , you know . Um , I want 1598 01:02:55,150 --> 01:02:57,261 to also point out that a lot of basis 1599 01:02:57,261 --> 01:02:59,130 right now do not have sufficient 1600 01:02:59,140 --> 01:03:01,140 obstetrics care for its military 1601 01:03:01,140 --> 01:03:03,330 members . So even active duty and 1602 01:03:03,330 --> 01:03:05,386 dependence . And I want to highlight 1603 01:03:05,386 --> 01:03:07,441 that this doesn't just affect me and 1604 01:03:07,441 --> 01:03:09,552 the women in uniform , it affects the 1605 01:03:09,552 --> 01:03:11,886 family members as well , the dependence . 1606 01:03:11,886 --> 01:03:14,100 Um , so we are beholden to civilian 1607 01:03:14,100 --> 01:03:16,500 services . Um , out of my four kids , 1608 01:03:16,500 --> 01:03:18,389 only one was born in a mill , the 1609 01:03:18,389 --> 01:03:20,500 hospital and the other three were all 1610 01:03:20,500 --> 01:03:22,500 in civilian hospitals . So it makes 1611 01:03:22,500 --> 01:03:24,630 this even more prudent more important 1612 01:03:24,630 --> 01:03:26,686 to make sure that we are creating an 1613 01:03:26,686 --> 01:03:29,260 access , a standard of access of care 1614 01:03:29,260 --> 01:03:31,260 across the board that is completely 1615 01:03:31,260 --> 01:03:33,482 lacking right now . We should have done 1616 01:03:33,482 --> 01:03:35,593 better for you . And I hope that this 1617 01:03:35,593 --> 01:03:37,816 committee can do better for many others 1618 01:03:37,816 --> 01:03:37,140 that are going to experience these 1619 01:03:37,140 --> 01:03:39,140 types of challenges going forward . 1620 01:03:39,140 --> 01:03:41,630 Thank you . Gentlemen yields back