[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George H. W. Bush (1992-1993, Book II)]
[October 30, 1992]
[Page 2101]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]



Memorandum of Disapproval for the Military Health Care Initiatives Act 
of 1992
October 30, 1992

    I am withholding my approval of S. 3144, the ``Military Health Care 
Initiatives Act of 1992.'' This legislation would substantially change 
Federal policy with respect to abortion.
    S. 3144 would provide that any eligible member of the Armed Forces 
or dependent ``is entitled'' to obtain an abortion ``in the same manner 
as any other type of medical care'' at U.S. military facilities 
overseas. It would thus require these Federal facilities to provide 
abortion on demand, even as a method of birth control, at least through 
the sixth month of pregnancy.
    Contrary to the claims made by some supporters of this legislation, 
S. 3144 would establish a rule on the availability of abortions at 
military facilities overseas more radically pro-abortion than the laws 
in most parts of the United States. The bill is also broader than the 
pre-fiscal year 1989 practices of the Armed Services, which had been to 
provide elective abortions at military facilities with limitations, 
including restrictions on late-term abortions.
    Current DOD policy is to perform abortions only if the life of the 
mother is threatened. I have repeatedly voiced my strong support for 
that policy and made clear that any attempt to weaken it would warrant 
disapproval. Accordingly, I am withholding my approval of S. 3144.

                                                             George Bush

The White House,
October 30, 1992.