Department of Veterans Affairs to offer abortion counseling and certain abortions to veterans

Washington (CNN) The Department of Veterans Affairs will soon offer abortions in certain cases and abortion counseling to veterans, regardless of state laws.

It's the latest move taken by the Biden administration to expand abortion rights in the wake of the Supreme Court decision to eliminate the federal right to an abortion earlier this summer.

The VA will provide abortions when a pregnant veteran's life or health is at risk if their pregnancy were carried to term, or if the pregnancy was the result of rape or incest. These services will also be offered to Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs beneficiaries.

The department announced these changes to its medical regulations in a news release Friday, saying it submitted an interim final rule Thursday night to the Office of the Federal Register.

Once published, the rule will go into effect immediately, and the department said it will "immediately prepare to provide these services in as many locations as possible."