Female vets seek health care to match their growing presence in the military

As the number of female veterans continues to increase, a veterans service organization is asking the federal government to conduct a study that would evaluate the Department of Veterans Affairs’ ability to meet the growing needs of female veterans and study their levels of privacy and security when they do seek treatment.

That request by Disabled American Veterans was made on Tuesday at a Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee hearing on “Fulfilling the Promise to Women Veterans.”

The last government study of health services for female former troops was done in 2009, according to the Government Accountability Office, the investigative arm of Congress. The GAO report found that many female veterans thought that the culture wasn’t welcoming at VA and that transition programs developed to assist veterans had not been tailored to meet the needs of female veterans.

For instance, female veterans are two to three times as likely to be homeless as any other group in the U.S. adult population, according to VA studies. They may need specific services that will allow their children to stay in a shelter with them. And sometimes the veterans are suffering from post-traumatic stress as a result of sexual assault while serving — known as military sexual trauma — and haven’t been able to find help.

VA has embarked on a public service campaign, with posters hanging in every hospital and clinic and bearing slogans such as “Not every GI is a Joe” and “She wore these,” with a photo of combat boots. The agency says it has made progress in helping women feel more welcome, including opening several model Women’s Health Centers like the one in Washington, which has a separate entrance, calming music and even a play table with books for children. Female veterans have also lobbied for child care.

Nearly 2.3 million women are U.S. veterans. VA says the number of female veterans using VA’s health service increased by 80 percent from 2003 to 2012. More than 635,000 female veterans are enrolled in the health-care system. And the number of female patients under 35 has increased by 120 percent from 2003 to 2013.

While some VA hospitals have separate Women’s Health Centers, there are still 35 VA medical centers with no gynecologist on staff.

“We recognize that some VA health-care facilities serve only a small number of women, or have experienced difficulty in recruiting or retaining specialty providers in certain locations; however, these services are essential to providing comprehensive health care,” Joy Ilem, deputy national legislative director for Disabled American Veterans, testified at the hearing. “We urge the department to reallocate the necessary resources to ensure women veterans gain access to a full continuum of gender-specific, age-appropriate, high-quality health care at all VA facilities.”

Sen. Dean Heller, R-Nev., has taken the lead in the Senate by introducing the bipartisan Women Veterans Access to Quality Care Act. Heller’s legislation, sponsored with Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash), would boost services and oversight and include the GAO study.

Also testifying at the hearing was Christina Mouradjian, a U.S. Army veteran who told the committee that during a recent trip to a VA facility, the doctors pulled back the curtain and were surprised to see a woman.

“You feel like you are not taken seriously,” she said.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Girl, 11, missing from Lynnwood

Sha’niece Watson’s family is concerned for her safety, according to the sheriff’s office. She has ties to Whidbey Island.

A cyclist crosses the road near the proposed site of a new park, left, at the intersection of Holly Drive and 100th Street SW on Thursday, May 2, 2024, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Everett to use $2.2M for Holly neighborhood’s first park

The new park is set to double as a stormwater facility at the southeast corner of Holly Drive and 100th Street SW.

The Grand Avenue Park Bridge elevator after someone set off a fire extinguisher in the elevator last week, damaging the cables and brakes. (Photo provided by the City of Everett)
Grand Avenue Park Bridge vandalized, out of service at least a week

Repairs could cost $5,500 after someone set off a fire extinguisher in the elevator on April 27.

Everett
Dog rescued, 10 displaced after apartment fire south of Everett

Fire crews rescued a dog from the third floor of an apartment building, where sprinklers confined the fire.

Marysville
Marysville man arrested in alleged murder conspiracy in Anacortes

Jesse Michael Allen, of Marysville, is the fifth suspect police believe participated in an alleged kidnapping in September.

Construction occurs at 16104 Cascadian Way in Bothell, Washington on Tuesday, May 7, 2024. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
What Snohomish County ZIP codes have seen biggest jumps in home value?

Mill Creek, for one. As interest rates remain high and supplies are low, buyers could have trouble in today’s housing market.

Rylee Fink, 3, left, stomps through the sand while other children run through the water during a low tide at Howarth Park on Tuesday, May 7, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Stock up on sunblock: Highs in 80s could be coming to Snohomish County

Everett could hit a high of 79 on Saturday. Farther inland, temperatures could reach as high as 86 this weekend.

Neighbors stand in Lisa Jansson’s yard to get a view of the wall of processed wood remains, or “hog fuel,” building up along the property’s border with DTG on Tuesday, March 5, 2024, in Snohomish, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
After complaints, county shuts down DTG’s Maltby recycling facility

For months, neighbors have reported constant noise and pollution at the facility. By July 15, DTG must stop accepting material there.

Everett
Deputies arrest woman after 2-hour standoff south of Everett

Just before 9 a.m., police responded to reports of domestic violence in the 11600 block of 11th Place W.

Bruiser, photographed here in November 2021, is Whidbey Island’s lone elk. Over the years he has gained quite the following. Fans were concerned for his welfare Wednesday when a rumor circulated social media about his supposed death. A confirmed sighting of him was made Wednesday evening after the false post. (Jay Londo )
Whidbey Island’s elk-in-residence Bruiser not guilty of rumored assault

Recent rumors of the elk’s alleged aggression have been greatly exaggerated, according to state Fish and Wildlife.

Jamel Alexander stands as the jury enters the courtroom for the second time during his trial at the Snohomish County Courthouse on Monday, May 6, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Second trial in Everett woman’s stomping death ends in mistrial

Jamel Alexander’s conviction in the 2019 killing of Shawna Brune was overturned on appeal in 2023. Jurors in a second trial were deadlocked.

A car drives past a speed sign along Casino Road alerting drivers they will be crossing into a school zone next to Horizon Elementary on Thursday, March 7, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Traffic cameras begin dinging school zone violators in Everett

Following a one-month grace period, traffic cameras are now sending out tickets near Horizon Elementary in Everett.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.