Bill Improves Care and Support for Women Vets and Families and Expands Mental Health Care
(Washington, DC) -- U.S. Congresswoman Gwen Moore (D-Milwaukee) today lauded unanimous House passage of the Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act, legislation that will improve veterans’ health care for women, strengthen support services for veterans’ families and expand access to mental health care services.
Congresswoman Moore said, “This bill will help the VA adapt to the unique needs of veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan. It will make a real difference for them and their families.”
The bill will improve care for 1.8 million female veterans. Specifically, it will help train mental health care providers to care for veterans who have been sexually abused and create a pilot program to provide child care services to women who could not otherwise access mental health care services. Additionally, it requires a study of barriers to care that women veterans currently face.
This bill also recognizes that veterans’ caregivers and families play an integral role in their care. It will help caregivers by making sure they can get needed training and education, access counseling and help them afford care of their loved ones – including stipends for health care services and to defray costs of traveling to doctor’s visits. Congresswoman Moore has introduced a separate measure that calls on the military and VA to allow family members of those suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder to access treatments and integrate families into treatments.
Lastly, the bill increases access to mental health care services for any veteran – including National Guard and Reserve members – of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars.
Congresswoman Moore continued, “Our veterans risked their lives in service to our nation, and we owe it to them to see that they have the care they need. I am glad to see that the House could come together and pass this important bill.”
The legislation is supported by the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Disabled American Veterans, AMVETS and Paralyzed Veterans of America.
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For an interview with Congresswoman Gwen Moore, please contact David Frey at 202-225-4572.
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