VetsFirst gratefully acknowledges the support of the veteran community, the disability community and those individuals who contacted their Representatives in support of legislation that protects the rights of women veterans as well as injured and amputee veterans.
The legislation (H.R. 5953), which was recently passed the U.S. House of Representatives and must now be considered by the Senate, represents a tremendous advance in the provision of VA health care services. It requires all VA facilities to display a “Women Veterans Bill of Rights” and each prosthetics and orthotics clinic to display an “Injured and Amputee Veterans Bill of Rights” to improve the consistency and quality of care to these veteran populations. The legislation not only enumerates the rights of women veterans and injured and amputee veterans but also requires the VA to educate veterans and staff about these rights.
Women constitute 14 percent of today’s military, and their specific health care needs must become one of the core competencies of the VA. The Women Veterans Bill of Rights recognizes the value of women veterans by acknowledging that they are entitled to be treated with respect and equality.
Likewise, injured and amputee veterans who have sacrificed so much in service to our country deserve to have their rights to specific services clearly delineated and readily accessible. The Injured and Amputee Veterans Bill of Rights will address the inconsistent access to VA prosthetic and orthotic benefits that some veterans have encountered.
VetsFirst is honored to advocate for the quality of care these veterans deserve and that they have earned by virtue of their service.