VA Pledges More Health Serivces to Female Veterans

August 30, 2010 - Female veterans have long been a part of the military and are one of the fastest growing groups in the entire veteran populace. Female veterans currently number 7.5% of all veterans and 5.5% of all veterans using Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) health care services. By 2010, female veterans will make up 10% of the veteran population and 9.5% of those using VA health care services.

VA Secretary Eric Shinseki made a pledge to female veterans on Women's Equality Day. Secretary Shinseki promised the VA will strive to uphold the debt this nation owes to its veterans; all its veterans, including female veterans. Sec. Shinseki spoke of bringing the VA into the 21^st century and stated this cannot be done without providing the very best health care to all veterans.

Female veterans do require some differing services from male veterans. Sec. Shinseki addressed these services and noted they must be updated just as all other services are, in order to stay current and effective. In an attempt to provide the best health services to female veterans, the VA has launched several initiatives, including:  

• Ensure every VA medical center provides comprehensive primary care and specialized medical care;
• Enhanced mental health care tailored toward female veterans;  
• Employing a female program manager at every VA medical center;
• Providing primary care physicians a mini-residency on women's health;
• Getting behind a versatile research program focusing on women's health;
• Improving outreach to, and communication with, the female veterans community; and
• Ongoing operation of the VA's Center for Women Veterans and the Women Veterans Health Strategic Healthcare Group.

Sec. Shinseki stressed the one thing that must be remembered and focused on is the sacrifices of females in the armed services. There are approximately 200,000 females currently active in the armed services and female veterans number 1.8 million.