Posted on Aug 17, 2015
Do women have greater difficulty getting help from the V.A.?
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Female veterans are having problems getting the services they need from the V.A. in part because of their gender. Most V.A. programs are set up for men due to the V.A. originally being set up to support men. (Not pointing fingers here or being feminist) The increased number of female veterans has led the V.A. to begin to seek medical services and to open support groups specifically geared toward women. I have heard from male counter parts stories of having great difficulty in applying and receiving help from the V.A.. Some women say it is more difficult for women, because they are not recognized as being veterans in the firs place. The V.A. is trying to respond to these needs but funding is always an issue and the items that are going to get funded first are those that help the greatest majority of veterans, thus creating a vicious circle because women are in the minority. http://www.nytimes.com/2015/08/16/opinion/sunday/the-vas-woman-problem.html?smid=fb-share&_r=0
Posted in these groups: 
Women in the Military
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
Women in the Military Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
Edited >1 y ago
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 59
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Don't feel bad, I'm in the same boat. I have to drive 2.5 hours to receive my substandard treatment..
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I believe that will all veterans, the quality of service depends on both your PCP and the hospital. Physicians are restricted by what's available to them. However even the best facilities may have horrible uncaring doctors. I've personally seen both cases. If the services are available and you're not getting them, men or women, you need to speak up and/or change doctors. Noone is going to hold your hand to take care of your health issues for you. You need to research and be educated in your condition and speak up if something doesn't seem right.
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SGT MOODY from keene NH. The VA here is definitely bad about how they treat women vs men. My ex husband and I would go to the VA and they catered to him and there was a few times he would have to tell them my wife is here to be treated not me you should probably pay attention. There is a huge difference with the treatment and care at the white river junction VT VA facility. I will not even go there anymore because of 10 years worth of miss treatment
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The VA has specialty clinics for women and Women's Program Manager at Regional facilities to assist them with their care. With that being said it is like with all scheduled appointments male or female you have to keep your appointment and show up on time. If you have a scheduling conflict just call and reschedule in a timely manor and you will have no problems. The VA has a multitude of assets to assist women and female doctors and nurses to assist female Veterans. There should be no issues at all. Use the systems as it is set up to be used, do not try to buy pass or circumvent the system just to get what you think you deserve, that is what slows the system down for everyone. There is care for every Veteran at the VA male and female, we must do our part to make it work properly so that everyone receives the proper and timely care.
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Sounds like more feminazi propaganda to me, Just because a Medical Facility doesn't have the resources to handle OB/GYN issues doesn't mean they are doing it on purpose, there could be many reasons as to why, funding, no avaialble specialists, etc, etc.
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CPT (Join to see)
SPC Dave St.Andrew There isn't any "feminiazi propaganda" going on here. Do you not feel that OB/GYN issues of veterans are of importance? I have repeatedly stated that the problem is a matter of funding and I have repeatedly supported male concerns regarding their issues of gaining access as well. Many females have replied here that their experiences have been great and many have replied that they had poor experiences. I'm sure the same can be said of the male population seeking treatment facilities.
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PFC (Join to see)
that's a pretty sexist remark Spc st. andrew. I sure your mother would proud of you for stating something like that. makes me sick how men think they know what is best type of medical treatment for women on certain issues.
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SGT Allison Churchill
CPT (Join to see) - Above and beyond OB/GYN services, I think a lot of female veterans would be happy to be recognized as veterans instead of being asked where their husband is. It's 2015 for God's sake.
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SGT Chad King
Given the fact that women comprise such a small portion of the U.S. Armed forces in 2015 it's no wonder that you're asked if you're a spouse or not. Most of the Vets walking around VA facilities these days are VietNam Vets and only 6 females were KIA in VietNam. I'm asked if I am Viet Nam era all the time because of that, but I don't get offended. I simply correct the mistake and move on sheesh.Women do more complaining than the men do but are a very small portion of the patients the VA deals with every day.
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This is an interesting article. The work that the Veterans Administration is doing to help women has improved. There is stil work to be done to bridge the gap in addressing and meeting the needs of female veterans.
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CPT (Join to see)
COL Lawanda J. Holliman Thank you for your comments. I know there has been improvement and I'm always glad to hear positive stories. Here is a link to a report you may like to read. http://www.dav.org/learn-more/news/2014/new-report-reveals-nation-still-fully-equipped-support-women-veterans/
DAV Study Details Significant Gaps in Services for Women Veterans in Health Care, Transition...
New Report Reveals Nation Still Not Fully Equipped to Support Women Veterans - #WomenVeterans #FemaleVeterans
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COL Lawanda J. Holliman
Excellent report! I can certainly attest to the narrative we women veterans need to write. Thanks for sharing!
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I think if everyone is having problems, everyone is having problems. It would be nice if we were at least to the point where we were trying to fine tune the system to take better care of specific groups?
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SFC Timothy AllBee
I find this hard to believe, I have not had any problems from day one of being a Veteran. From the first day I registered at my local VA and turned in my Disability Compensation packet, I have never had an issue being seen, getting my medication, speaking to my primary care doctor, getting my lab work completed. I just followed the request that the VA gave me, used the VA time lines, took available appointments, again never had a issue.
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SGT Allison Churchill
It really varies from hospital to hospital. Some of them--from my knowledge, the ones in less populated areas--are really on top of everything.
Some of them are just horrible, and veterans are actually dying while waiting for treatment.
It's wonderful that you had a good experience, but I would hope you would realize from the very alarming news reports and requested action from nearly every veterans' group that the system isn't doing its job overall. Everybody should be getting good care, not just the people who happen to be able to live near the good hospitals.
Some of them are just horrible, and veterans are actually dying while waiting for treatment.
It's wonderful that you had a good experience, but I would hope you would realize from the very alarming news reports and requested action from nearly every veterans' group that the system isn't doing its job overall. Everybody should be getting good care, not just the people who happen to be able to live near the good hospitals.
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COL Lawanda J. Holliman
Allison, good points. While the systems have improved, there is certainly more work to be done. Some areas have faired better than others. However, the overall findings based on DAV and other reports are that more work is needed.
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All the women vererans I know that need help have gotten it ,
Theres even a complete womens clinic at Loma Linda VA Hosp ! theyll even take Champva spouses !
I dont think this duscussion is warranted , if they meey the VA requirements they will get help nation wide even in Alaska And Hawaii
Theres even a complete womens clinic at Loma Linda VA Hosp ! theyll even take Champva spouses !
I dont think this duscussion is warranted , if they meey the VA requirements they will get help nation wide even in Alaska And Hawaii
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CPT (Join to see)
SSgt Sharron Nolley Great to hear. I wish all hospitals were ran the same as the ones you've had experience with or know someone who did. I love positive stories.
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I don't see any difference between men and women veterans. I certainly received my disability pension fast- as I recall. And I am treated with the utmost of respect and honor at the VA Hospital.
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