Abortions, guns, raises and suicides in new Defense Bill

If you think Defense Bills are just about money going to contractors, this should open your eyes.

Obama Signs $633B Defense Bill
Jan 03, 2013
Associated Press
by Matthew Daly

As suicides among active-duty soldiers have accelerated, the bill also allows a commander officer or health professional to ask if a member of the services owns a firearm if they consider the individual at risk for either suicide or hurting others.

The bill includes a Senate-passed provision sponsored by Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H., that expands health insurance coverage for military women and their dependents who decide to have abortions in cases of rape and incest. Previously, health coverage applied only to abortions in cases where the life of the mother was endangered.

The measure includes a 1.7 percent pay raise for military personnel.