A bipartisan bill introduced by U.S. Sen. John Boozman of Arkansas and U.S. Sen. Tammy Duckworth of Illinois aims to enhance care for women veterans by modernizing federal reporting on their health services.
The Veterans’ Outcomes, Inclusion, Care and Experience for Women Veterans Act, also known as the VOICE for Women Veterans Act, was unveiled last week. If enacted, the legislation would require the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to provide more detailed data in its annual reports, enabling policymakers to identify and address gaps in care for women veterans.
“As we look to improve the quality of care for women veterans in Arkansas and across the country, we must ensure the VA gathers the data and information necessary to identify gaps, address challenges and improve health outcomes,” said Boozman in a joint press release.
Duckworth, a retired U.S. Army National Guard lieutenant colonel and former VA assistant secretary, emphasized the importance of the proposed review. “As the primary health care home for veterans, this comprehensive review at the VA is long overdue to better care for the fastest growing veteran group in the country,” she said.
The proposal has garnered support from organizations such as the Wounded Warrior Project, Disabled American Veterans, and Paralyzed Veterans of America. According to the VA, women are the fastest growing segment of the veteran population, with over 2.1 million women veterans currently in the United States. By 2040, they are expected to constitute 18% of the country’s total veteran population.
The legislation is now under consideration in the Senate as lawmakers seek to improve outcomes for this growing group of veterans.