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Women's Veterans Committee

Historical Accomplishments

VVA Women Veterans' Committee pushed for the first Report on Women Veterans, resulting in the 1982 GAO investigation of VA services to Women Veterans.

VVA was a major force in calling for the first Congressional Hearings on Women Veterans in 1983.  This resulted in the passage of Public Law 98-160 that established the VA Advisory Committee on Women Veterans.

VVA testified in the Congressional Oversight Hearings (1985-1994), crafting the legislative agenda for improved services to women veterans in all government agencies.

VVA Women Veterans' Committee presented testimony and assisted in the drafting of legislation, resulting in Public Law 102-585, The Veterans Health Care Act of 1992.  This landmark victory, in the long struggle by women veterans to assure continued recognition and support for their specific health care programs, broadened the context of PTSD to include care for sexual trauma associated with military duty. In 1996 & 1999 we successfully advocated for the extension of VA sexual-trauma treatment (MST).

VVA identified the need for a more formalized process to address the issues of women veterans.  As a result of VVA's  efforts, in 1994, legislation was passed to create VA The Center for Women Veterans.

VVA actively participated in the process that resulted in the National Center for PTSD–Women's Health Services Division.

This Committee works with the VVA Task Force for Homeless Veterans, assisting with legislation for homeless women veterans. In 2000, VVA testified and assisted with the legislation for benefits to children with birth defects born to women who served in Vietnam & made service-connected mastectomies eligible for VA Special Monthly Compensation. In 2004 testified to make permanent VA authority for MST care.  Members have and do serve on a number of VA Advisory Committees.

A Considerable Sacrifice:
The Costs of Sexual Violence in the U.S.

Statement of Christine Hansen, Executive Director, The Miles Foundation, concerning the Prevalence, Policies and Protocols in Response to Sexual Violence

Before the Senate Armed Services Committee, Regarding Sexual Misconduct at the U.S. Air Force Academy

Women Veterans
Priorities of 2005
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