News
Female Veterans to Receive Free Gynecological Care from Board-certified Ob-Gyn
Wednesday, February 17, 2016 | Category: Health Care - New Jersey
Dr. Jennifer Ashton, Board-certified Ob-Gyn, author and TV medical correspondent, will be providing free gynecological care to female veterans. Dr. Ashton stated: "I read the "Mother Jones" piece and was outraged by the fact that so many of our female veterans do not have access to basic healthcare services. The fact that one-third of VA Medical Centers do not have a gynecologist on staff is appalling. I know that my actions are not a cure to this problem, but I wanted to take some action and I wanted to do something now." Women veterans wishing to make an appointment, please call Dr. Ashton's practice, Hygeia Gynecology at 201-399-2812. Her office, "Hygeia Gynecology," is located in Englewood, New Jersey.
For Fertility Treatment, Wounded Veterans Have To Pay The Bill
Wednesday, February 17, 2016 | Category: Health Care - National
Matt Keil came home with a "Christopher Reeve'-type injury." The Keils wanted to have children, but they'd need in vitro fertilization. It's a very expensive procedure costing on average at least $12,000 per cycle of treatment, according to the American Society for Reproductive Medicine. The Department of Defense health care system covers IVF for wounded service members, but the Department of Veterans Affairs does not due to "Veterans Health Care Act of 1992," Public Law 102-585. Recently, Senator Murray's (WA) "S.469 - Women Veterans and Families Health Services Act of 2015" was blocked as other attempts have been in the past. Fertility clinics around the nation offer discounted IVF rates for veterans self-funding the procedure. The Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology provides a "Service to Veterans" list of participating clinics at: https://www.sartcorsonline.com/ServiceToVeterans.aspx.
Pa. Senate Approves Task Force to Study Health Care for Female Veterans
Wednesday, February 17, 2016 | Category: Health Care - Pennsylvania
A Pennsylvania Senate resolution was recently approved to stand up a task force of cabinet-level secretaries, health care experts, and four female military veterans who would focus on the health care needs of their state's 72,000 women veterans. The panel will review how female veterans receive health care, especially for post traumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain injury, or sexual assault or abuse. The impetus for the review was the expected rise in number of women serving in the military, opening up combat positions, and a need to pay more attention to women's health issues. The task force is expected to meet five times and prepare recommendations by the close of 2016.
New affordable Tempe housing complex approved for veterans and families
Wednesday, February 17, 2016 | Category: Housing/Experiencing Homelessness - Arizona
The Tempe city council approved the "Valor on Eighth" affordable housing community designed for veterans and their families with a specific focus on serving women veterans. There will be 50 rental units above a 44-space parking area. Much of the project's funding is from $10.6 million in federal low income housing tax credits.
Investigators Say a Suicide Hotline Operated by the Department of Veterans Affairs Allowed Crisis Calls to Go into Voicemail and That Callers Did Not Always Receive Immediate Assistance
Wednesday, February 17, 2016 | Category: Suicide - National
In 2014, the VA suicide crisis hotline received more than 450,000 calls, 40 percent more than 2013. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Office of Inspector General report stated that when the Canandaigua, New York, call center is overloaded, calls are redirected to backup centers. About 1 in 6 calls were rerouted and in some cases, the calls went to voicemail. One of the backup center's staff was "apparently were unaware there was a voicemail system." What may have been perceived as anecdotal veteran complaints, were later validated. The Deputy VA Secretary Sloan Gibson stated the VA "agrees with the report's recommendations and is working to modernize the crisis hotline."
Female Veterans Wanted for Southern Illinois University Project
Friday, February 12, 2016 | Category: History/Heritage - Illinois
Southern Illinois University Carbondale students wish to interview female military veterans to take part in a new service-learning history project. All recorded interview and transcripts will be added to the Women in Military Service for America Memorial Foundation archives. They would like to conduct face-to-face interviews, but will do phone interviews. To learn more about the project or to sign up, contact Bobbi Knapp at bknapp@siu.edu or call 618-453-3324.
Senators Let Female WWII Pilots into Arlington Cemetery
Thursday, February 11, 2016 | Category: History/Heritage - National
About half of U.S. senators called upon Acting Secretary of the Army Patrick Murphy to reverse a policy change barring the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASPs), World War II pilots, from having their ashes inurned at Arlington National Cemetery.
Study of Female Veterans Suicide Would Be Required, Under New Legislation
Wednesday, February 10, 2016 | Category: Suicide - National
A May 2015 Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)report found that women veterans who successfully commit suicide do so at a rate six times greater than nonveteran women. For women veterans between 18-29 years old, the rate is 12 times that of nonveteran women. HR 2915, "The Female Veterans Suicide Prevention" bill, would require VA to identify the most effective mental health and suicide prevention programs for at-risk women veterans.
Fort Carson's Female Ranger, Male Classmate Share Spotlight on Post
Wednesday, February 10, 2016 | Category: Combat - Colorado
It wasn't easy for Lt. Shaye Haver and Staff Sgt. Michael Calderon to make it through the Army's elite Ranger School in summer 2015. They both share their perspectives of Ranger School, experiences since graduating, and whether or not gender is a factor in who is the right person for the job.
Questions, Frustration as Women Prepare to Join Combat Units
Wednesday, February 10, 2016 | Category: Combat - National
Advocates and critics of women serving in U.S. military combat positions have many unanswered questions regarding the integration timeline, job standards, military leadership buy-in, and draft registration.