Halfaker & Associates

News

July 2009

Halfaker and Associates CEO Testifies at House Committee of Veterans Affairs Hearing, “Eliminating the Gaps: Examining Women Veterans’ Issues”

Washington, D.C. – On July 16th, 2009 Halfaker and Associates’ CEO, Dawn Halfaker, provided a statement on behalf of the Wounded Warrior Project (WWP) to the House Committee on Veterans Affairs (VA). The hearing was held by the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs’ Chairman John Hall, Health Subcommittee Chairman Michaud, and the ranking members, Mr. Lamborn and Mr. Brown. The hearing was held to address and explore the unique issues affecting women Veterans and ensure equitable services for the nation’s women patriots after they separate from service.

Women Veterans are a unique and rapidly changing demographic within the VA culture. Since the VA’s inception in the days following World War One, it has primarily focused on the Veteran population who endured the bulk of combat operations, men. Now, with growing numbers of women in uniform serving in hostile theaters and exposed to the rigors of combat environments, women are not only playing a much larger role in bolstering our war-fighting capability, but unprecedented numbers are returning home with visible and invisible wounds. The VA reports that 44% of OIF/OEF women Veterans have enrolled with VA and utilized VA healthcare. Studies indicate an alarming prevalence of PTSD, sexual trauma, and other mental health problems in today’s women Veteran population. Untreated, these conditions affecting women Veterans pose great health risks. Halfaker believes it is imperative that the VA improve upon its services and expand its outreach programs to ensure all women Veterans receive the high quality care they deserve.

Halfaker’s testimony elaborated on five main issues that, if addressed, could improve upon the VA’s outreach to women Veterans and dramatically increase the quality, type, and availability of service provided. Halfaker’s first main point indicated more outreach programs are needed to inform women Veterans on VA healthcare services available and to overcome any adverse perceptions about VA care. Secondly, VA supported programs promoting peer support are essential to provide increased opportunities for Veterans to communicate and work through mental health issues with their peers. Thirdly, variation in provision of services provided at VA facilities nationwide is a main concern and needs to be swiftly addressed to ensure female Veterans have equal access to gender specific services at all VA locations. Fourthly, Halfaker testified that all women Veterans should have access to same-gender health professionals at all VA facilities. Fifthly, the challenge of leadership needs to be addressed to ensure that all facilities continue to take the appropriate steps to accommodate women Veterans.

Several other passionate women Veterans testified alongside Halfaker at the July 16th hearing: Joy J. Ilem, Deputy National Legislative Director, Disabled American Veterans; Anuradha P. Bhagwati, MPP, Executive Director, Service Women's Action Network; First Sergeant Delilah Washburn, USAF (Ret.), President, National Association of State Women Veterans Coordinators, Inc., and Regional Director, Texas Veterans Commission; and Kayla M. Williams, MA, Member, Board of Directors, Grace After Fire, Author, Love My Rifle More Than You: Young and Female in the U.S. Army.

Halfaker applauds the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs and the Congress for its critical role in moving the Department of Veterans Affairs to better serve women Veterans. As a result of Congress’ insistence on affording women Veterans equitable access to needed care, women Veterans today have access to a wide array of gender-specific services (as well as primary care) in VA settings, where a decade earlier such care was often provided only through contract arrangements. However, the July 16th testimonies clearly indicated that a number of gender disparities exist for women Veterans in both the VA health and benefits system. Halfaker hopes her testimony inspires Congress to further enhance the benefits and resources available to women Veterans.

To view Halfaker’s testimony please visit: http://veterans.house.gov/hearings/Testimony.aspx?TID=45859&Newsid=441&Name=%20Dawn%20%20Halfaker

For more information on the July 16th hearing please visit: http://veterans.house.gov/hearings/hearing.aspx?NewsID=441