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News from Rep. Stephanie Herseth Sandlin
For Immediate Release
Contact: Russ Levsen, 202-226-4449

HERSETH SANDLIN WORKS TO MEET GROWING NEEDS OF WOMEN VETERANS

Introduces Bill To Ensure VA has Authority, Flexibility to Provide Health Care Services to Women Who Served in OIF/OEF

November 8, 2007, Washington, D.C. – U.S. Rep. Stephanie Herseth Sandlin this week introduced the Women Veterans Health Care Improvement Act, a bill to expand and improve VA health care services for women who have served, particularly those who served in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom (OIF/OEF).

Herseth Sandlin, who serves on the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee, said, “This bill responds to a specific and growing need to provide health care services for women veterans, especially those who served in Iraq and Afghanistan.” She noted that more than 177,000 women have served our nation in Iraq and Afghanistan since September 2001 and nearly 27,000 are currently deployed in these wars.

She continued, “More women are answering the call to serve, and more women veterans need access to services that they are entitled to when they return. We must do everything we can to meet this new challenge of serving the needs of women veterans.”

Among other things, the Women Veterans Health Care Improvement Act calls for a study of health care for women veterans who served in OIF and OEF, a study of barriers to women veterans seeking health care, enhancement of VA sexual trauma programs, enhancement of PTSD treatment for women, expansion of family counseling programs, and establishment of a pilot program for child care services. Further details are listed below.

Herseth Sandlin worked closely with the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) in crafting this bill. “With more and more women in the military, and many now serving in combat situations, the Women Veterans Health Care Improvement Act is absolutely essential to ensuring that VA is prepared for the rising number of women veterans coming into the system,” said David W. Gorman, Washington Headquarters Executive Director of DAV. This legislation will require VA to provide comprehensive medical care services that are uniquely suited to their particular needs, especially those veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.” Gorman added, “DAV is grateful to Congresswoman Herseth Sandlin for her foresight and leadership on veterans’ issues. Since coming to Congress, she has been a champion for all veterans and DAV looks forward to working with her to help enact this important legislation.”

Herseth Sandlin added, “With the upcoming recognition of Veterans’ Day, now is a perfect time to work to ensure that the VA has both the authority and the flexibility it needs to respond to and serve those who have served us.”

Women Veterans Health Care Improvement Act Summary:

1. Study on Health of Women Veterans from OEF/OIF

• Requires the VA, in collaboration with DoD, to contract with a qualified outside entity for a long term health study of women who served in OEF/OIF. The study will include information on the general health, mental health, reproductive health, and mortality of such women veterans.
• The final report will include a detailed description of the findings and recommendations for administrative and legislative action.

2. Study on Barriers to Women Seeking VA Health Care

• Requires the VA to conduct a comprehensive assessment of the barriers to comprehensive health care by the VA.
• The study will survey women veterans who seek or receive health care services from the VA.
• Possible barriers to VA health care for women veterans: perceived stigma of seeking mental health care services, long driving distance, availability of child care, comprehension of services available, perception of personal safety and comfort of women veterans at VA medical centers, sensitivity of health care providers and staff to issues that affect women.
• Requires a report outlining the description of the findings and recommendations for administrative and legislative action.

3. Assessment of Women’ Health Care Programs at the VA

• Requires the VA to conduct a comprehensive assessment of all health care services and programs provided by the VA for the health care needs of women veterans.
• The assessment shall include the study of specialized programs for women with PTSD, for women who are homeless, for women who require care for substance abuse or mental illnesses, and for women who require pregnancy care.
• The VA will be required to develop a program to improve the provision of health care services to women. In addition, the VA shall project resource and staffing requirements to meet the health care needs of women veterans.

4. Enhance VA Sexual Trauma, PTSD, and Family Counseling Programs

• VA’s sexual trauma, PTSD, and family counseling programs would be enhanced through requirements for consistent training for care of women veterans.
• Requires the VA to report to Congress on the counseling and care provided by these programs.

5. Pilot Program for Child Care for Women Veterans

• Requires the VA to carry out a child care pilot program in three Veteran Service Networks for two years.
• Possible forms of child care assistance: stipend for child care centers, development of partnerships with private agencies, collaboration with facilities or programs with other Federal departments.

6. Pilot program for women veterans newly separated from service for counseling in retreat settings.

• Requires the VA to carry out a pilot program to evaluate the feasibility of providing counseling and transition adjustment assistance for women veterans who are newly separated from active duty service in a group retreat setting in which counseling is made available in consecutive period of days.
• The VA shall carry out the pilot program in five sites.

# # #

Congresswoman Stephanie Herseth Sandlin serves South Dakota in the U.S. House of Representatives. She is a member of the Blue Dog Coalition, a group of moderate Democrats committed to fiscal discipline and strong national security, and is co-chair of the Rural Working Group, which is dedicated to raising the profile of issues important to rural America. She also serves on three committees vital to South Dakota’s interests: Agriculture, Veterans’ Affairs and Natural Resources. In the 110th Congress, Rep. Herseth Sandlin was one of only 15 members appointed to serve on the Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming.