1 week Ago
I’m Jason T. Strickland, and I approved this column. Yes, it’s election season — it’s most DEFINITELY election season.
Candidates are trying to reach the most supporters and appeal to as many demographics as possible with their ideas to persuade would-be voters to choose their party, their candidate and their platform. And that’s exactly what I’m going to attempt in this column. I intend to reach across the aisle to my “XX” chromosome-card-carrying-counterparts, a demographic that I freely admit I can’t fully relate to their experiences while in the military or receiving the benefits they deserve as veterans.
To be candid, I’m not running for office; however, I am campaigning to bring more female veterans to VA. Female veterans, you’d be surprised by the services VA health care offers you. Allow me to make my pitch.
Many of my readers may believe VA is here to serve male, Vietnam-era veterans who wear an “I served” ballcap and are gun enthusiasts. To be honest, I’m friends with some of those dudes. However, you might be surprised to find out that VA, the largest integrated health care system in the country, takes great pride in the quality and accessibility of care we provide not just to male veterans, but female veterans, as well.
If you weren’t aware, female veterans are the fastest-growing demographic in VA. Walking into a VA medical facility no longer means only seeing male veterans, but female veterans of all ages are now receiving gender-specific care in a safe, welcoming environment. It hasn’t always been that way.
Unlike those stereotypes I shared above, some — make that many — of our female veterans have had quite the opposite experience. Instead of understanding they are veterans when they walk into a VA facility, a lot of their brothers in arms assume they are the spouse or family member of a veteran. I’ve observed many of my male counterparts look askance at a female veteran.
That’s disappointing, and it’s ignorant. U.S.
Air Force veteran Audrey Bhullar left the service in 2005, and her first experiences as a veteran were rife with problems. Outreach from VA to women was problematic. She heard catcalls while entering the Houston VAMC.
She was questioned for driving her vehicle into a parking spot dedicated for veterans at her local hardware store. Things have changed over the past two decades. VA offers comprehensive, coordinated care, tailored to the unique needs and experiences of female veterans.
Each woman is holistically treated to address the full scope of their health care needs. This includes general health care plus specialty services such as fertility/infertility treatment, maternity care and post-partum care. VA mental health support services are tailored to meet the unique needs and circumstances of female veterans, including sexual trauma-related care as well as trauma-informed care.
So, here’s my three-pronged platform to secure the female veteran vote: 1. Female veterans, you can trust the health care you’ll receive at VA. VA has made significant strides in recent years to enhance and customize health care services specifically for women.
From gynecological care to mental health support, VA facilities now offer comprehensive women's health services that are sensitive to the unique needs and experiences of female veterans. But don’t take my word for it: 88.3% of female veterans surveyed in the last 90 days gave positive ratings about their care at VA Eastern Colorado Health Care System.
2. Female veterans belong at VA. Unlike what Audrey experienced, VA has evolved as an organization to provide tailored and supportive care that meets female veterans’ unique needs and values.
“VA has designated women’s health staff who are specially trained to care for you,” Dr. Sally Haskell, acting chief officer of VA’s Office of Women’s Health, shared with me recently. “In addition to women veteran program managers, designated women’s health staff are available at every VA and include women’s health primary care providers, patient aligned care teams, maternity care coordinators and women’s mental health champions.
” 3. Female veterans receive comprehensive, holistic, patient-driven care at VA. Women deserve nothing less than the best, personalized care that puts them at the center.
VA continues to improve health care services that meet the unique needs of female veterans, considering not only their health, but other life factors such as housing, food security and safety. If you’re a woman and a veteran and you like what you just read and want to join my campaign for the female veteran vote, the first step is to contact the "Women Veterans Call Center" (WVCC) at 1-855-VA-WOMEN (1-855-829-6636) or use the online chat feature. As a woman, the WVCC is your guide to VA if you have questions about the available VA benefits and services.
You can also visit womenshealth.va.gov/wvcc.
asp . WVCC’s all-woman staff will help you navigate VA, point you in the right direction, and connect you with the Women Veterans Program manager at your local VAMC. This service is free, and you can call as many times as you need.
WVCC representatives are available Monday-Friday, 6 a.m. to 8 p.
m. MT and Saturday, 6 a.m.
to 4:30 p.m., excluding federal holidays.
Along the Front Range, you can contact Carole Donsbach, VA Eastern Colorado Health Care System Women Veterans Program manager at 720-857-5372. I hope I persuaded enough female veterans to make the call and explore all the services and benefits available. I know Audrey made the change.
She’s definitely got my vote! Thanks for allowing me to walk alongside you behind friendly lines. Victory!.
