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| Wilson Highlights the Growing Need for Women’s Health Care in the VA System |
October 02, 2002 |
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| An increase in women veterans requires a closer look at services provided by the VA
Washington, DC - Congresswoman Heather Wilson testified today at a Veterans Health Subcommittee Hearing on health care for women veterans. As the only woman veteran in Congress, Wilson was invited to share her perspective on health care for women in the VA system. In her remarks she noted that with the increase in women among the ranks of the military services, the Veterans Administration (VA) needs to take a look at its services to ensure that women veterans have access to the care that they need. There are approximately 10,600 women veterans residing in the State of New Mexico.
“Women veterans are the fastest growing specialty group in the VA health care system,” said Wilson. “Recent statistics show that women comprise 20% of all active duty and about 15% of reservists. We need to be sure that the system is able to meet the ever-changing needs for all veterans.”
Among the needs that Wilson cited are an expanded formulary of medicines for women, preventative health care, and OB-GYN care.
“Women who have served in the military are less likely than men to call themselves ‘veterans’ even when they have served in a combat theater,” Wilson said. “Over the coming decade, the VA will need to ensure that good care is available for women veterans and that they feel comfortable seeking that care.”
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