The Nation - News from July 19, 1988

Starting Oct. 1, doctors at military hospitals may not perform abortions unless the life of the mother is in danger, even if the patient pays for the operation, according to a memorandum. The June 21 memo, signed by Dr. William Mayer, assistant defense secretary for health affairs, ended the practice under which for the last nine years doctors have been able to perform so-called “prepaid abortions” at “military medical treatment facilities in certain countries in which quality medical care may not be locally available.” Doctors have been barred since 1979 from performing abortions paid for by the government unless the life of the mother is endangered.