|
Women Veterans’ Challenges in
Receiving Health Benefits from VA
By Pam Maercklein
Texas Veterans Commission
Today, more women
service members are in combat zones and obtaining injuries that are
similar to their male counterparts, but they often do not know how or
where to obtain medical services once they get out of the service.
This is just one of many barriers women have in obtaining medical
services through the Department of Veterans Affairs. Some other
questions women have include what type of VA women’s health services are
available, how is the quality of care at VA or if VA physicians are
skilled in treating women. VA is continuously trying to find new ways to
improve benefits and services for women veterans through programs such
as the Center for Women Veterans, the Secretary’s Advisory Committee on
Women Veterans and VA Advisory Committee on Women Veterans.
VA has started several programs to help women veterans obtain better
health care programs. Today, there are Women Veterans Program Managers
at the VA Medical Centers throughout the United States advocating for
women veterans and trying to increase services and programs for women
veterans. They provide empathetic assistance to women veterans and
victims of Military Sexual Trauma. The Women Veterans Coordinators are
being established at the outpatient clinics in order to expand outreach
to more women veterans. VA offers several programs that women may not be
aware. Some of services include pap smears, general reproductive health
care, counseling for substance abuse/sexual trauma/PTSD, IUD, HPV,
mammograms, primary care, dermatology, chiropractic, etc. Recently, VA
has broadened its coverage pertaining to service connected disability
benefits for Special Monthly Compensation for women veterans who
suffered loss of breast tissue related to their military service. In
addition, VA has launched an aggressive program to ensure that women
veterans receive the highest quality of health care, including $32.5
million to purchase additional equipment to meet the health care needs
of women. This includes full field digital mammography equipment,
stereotactic imaging technology, specialized ultrasound and biopsy
equipment, and DEXA scanners for bone density measurements. Sexual
assault/trauma resulting in PTSD is increasing throughout the military.
VA began to recognize this issue as a huge concern for women who are
coming back from overseas and has developed MST programs to help women
adjust to civilian life after these
types of incidents. They began to reach out extensively to women
veterans who are experiencing problems related to sexual trauma or
harassment while in the military. All veterans who are victims of sexual
trauma incurred in the military – both men and women – may receive free
counseling, as well as disability compensation and related services. In
addition, there are special programs to assist women veterans who are
homeless or who are victimsof domestic violence. There is a MST point of
contact for psychotherapy at every VA medical center.
Extensiveenhancements of the MST program have taken place in recent
years, including training of providers in the most current and effective
treatments for PTSD and sexual trauma.
VA has treatment sites for combat PTSD in women and is conducting
further research into how best to address the complex issues resulting
from combat duties and MST. The Temple VA Medical Center has an
inpatient Women’s Veterans Trauma Program as well as outpatient
counseling. VA is also recognizing nationwide that there are other
non-traditional types of therapy for PTSD that have produced excellent
results for some veterans. Some therapies include hypnosis, meditation,
music therapy, animal therapists, emotional freedom technique and
virtual reality treatment. Women veterans need to request services they
want in order for the services to be offered. VA has formed a work group
focusing on women’s needs in prosthetics and rehabilitation; developing
quality measurements specifically for women patients; purchasing more
state-of the- art specialized women’s health care equipment and
expanding medical education in women’s health for their health care
providers.
VA holds a National Summit on Women Veterans’ Issues every four years to
focus on women-specific health needs being fulfilled and to inform women
veterans of their eligibility for VA benefits.
Visit TVC’s website at www.tvc.state.tx.us to obtain contact information
for the VA facilities in your area. You will also find contact
information
for the nearest TVC office, veterans county service offices, TVC
Veterans
Employment Services, Veterans Education and a host of other information.
Also visit www.publichealth.va.gov/womenshealth/faqs.asp to see what
services are available from VA and where to find them.
|