Washington state Democratic Sen. Patty Murray said Friday that contraceptive use by women in the military is “poorly understood” and that the Defense Department should do more to stop unwanted pregnancies.
In a letter to Defense Secretary Ashton Carton, Murray cited a study that said 10 percent of active duty females experience unintended pregnancies during deployment each year, compared to 5 percent of women in their reproductive years overall.
“These statistics are compounded by the current risks associated with the emerging Zika virus, a public health crisis with disproportionate effects on pregnant women and their developing fetuses,” Murray, a fourth-term senator, said in her letter.
Murray said that women are not getting access to either the most effective or their preferred method of contraception at a time when they represent an increasingly larger percentage of the U.S. military.
She said she’s particularly concerned about a lack of pre-deployment counseling on contraception, difficulties getting refills, issues with confidentiality and shortages of providers overseas.
“This is an opportunity for the Department of Defense to continue the advancement of women who serve,” Murray said.
Two other Democrats, Sens. Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut and Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire, signed the letter, as well.
Rob Hotakainen: 202-383-6154, @HotakainenRob
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