May 22, 2018

Rep. Correa’s Women Veterans’ Health Legislation Passes House

Washington, DC—Today, Congressman Lou Correa’s (D-CA) Improving Oversight of Women Veterans’ Care Act of 2017, introduced with House Veterans’ Affairs Committee Ranking Member Tim Walz (D-MN) and House Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee on Health Ranking Member Julia Brownley (D-CA), successfully passed the House. Currently, the VA does not know if all women have access to specific healthcare needs. This bill will provide the data necessary to ensure they receive the best quality care they deserve.

Rep. Correa said, “The Department of Veterans’ Affairs was created to treat all veterans. When it comes to women’s care, some veterans simply don’t have access to the care they need. This bill will give us the data we need to ensure every woman gets the quality care she earned serving her nation.

“Veterans represent the best of America. In return for their sacrifices, this country promises every soldier that we’ll have their back. Their mission was protecting us. Now that they’re home, it is our mission to protect them.”

Rep. Brownley said, “As more women serve our nation in uniform, it is imperative that we ensure they have access to high-quality, gender-specific care in a safe and welcoming environment. I am so pleased the House passed our bill to better track the quality of care provided to female veterans and conduct oversight to ensure they are well served whether they receive their care at the VA or in the community.”

H.R. 4334—the Improving Oversight of Women Veterans’ Care Act of 2017 would require the VA to submit an annual report on veteran access to gender-specific care under community care contracts and quarterly reports on environment of care standards for women veterans.