Although it took several years to become reality, the Women Veterans Health Care Improvement Act passed during the 111th Congress in 2009. Approximately 1.8 million U.S. veterans are female -- roughly 7 percent of the veteran population. The WVHCA improves services offered by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs for the rising number of female veterans.
Purpose of the Act
According to its sponsor, Sen. Patty Murray of Washington, the bill "assesses, expands and improves health care services" for female veterans, especially those who served in the Afghanistan or Iraq conflicts. The bill aims to fund the Veterans Administration to allow purchase of necessary equipment and hiring of medical professionals for the needs of the increasing numbers of female veterans.
Supporting Organizations
Among the veterans' and women's groups supporting the WVHCA are the Disabled American Veterans, the Vietnam Veterans of America, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States, Uniformed Services Disabled Retirees and the Business and Professional Women USA.
Special Concerns
The bill states that as many as 22 percent of returning women veterans report being victims of Military Sexual Trauma, with many other cases presumably not reported. Other special concerns affecting female veterans include being immersed into the role of primary caregiver upon returning home, child birth and the fact that a woman may be less likely to have her service in the military appreciated in the same way as a male veteran.
New Programs
Among the new programs provided by the WVHCA is care for newborn children of veterans by the VA, if the mother is receiving maternity services. The VA must also implement programs to educate and train its psychiatric professionals to help women victims of sexual abuse and trauma. The VA must also provide child care for women seeking mental health care from its professionals. Group settings for readjustment counseling for female veterans will start under a pilot program. Women recently leaving the military must also be included on the VA's various advisory boards.
Care Assessments
Under the WVHCA, studies of female veterans of the conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq must be conducted. These studies should assess the effects of their service in the war zone on their mental and physical health, along with any consequences for reproductive functioning. The VA Secretary must conduct assessments of child care availability and female military members personal safety and comfort. The Secretary must send a report to Congress regarding full-time VA program managers at VA hospitals dealing with female health issues.
Tags: female veterans, must also, Afghanistan Iraq, Care Improvement, child care, health care
