VA Reaches Out to Women Veterans( Women Vets Have Earned 'Benefits ...),Health

Women Vets Have Earned 'Benefits, Respect, Thanks' - Peake

Fourth National Summit on Women Veterans Issues Begins June 20

WASHINGTON, March 27 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Recognizing the valor, service and sacrifice of America's 1.7 million women veterans, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has created a comprehensive array of benefits and programs.

"Women who served this country in uniform -- whether veterans of World War II, Korea, Vietnam, the Gulf War, the current Global War on Terror or peacetime service -- have earned our respect and thanks," said Dr. James B. Peake, Secretary of Veterans Affairs. "They have also earned the full range of VA programs offered by a grateful nation."

Secretary Peake also announced the Fourth National Summit on Women Veterans Issues to be held from June 20 - 22 in Washington, D.C. The Summit will offer attendees an opportunity to enhance future progress on women veterans issues, with sessions specifically for the Reserve and National Guard, information on military sexual trauma and readjustment issues, after the military veteran resources and many more programs and exhibits.

Women veterans are entitled to the same benefits and medical care as their male counterparts, including health care, disability compensation, education assistance, work-study allowance, vocational rehabilitation, employment and counseling services, insurance, home loan benefits, nursing home care, survivor benefits, and various burial benefits.

VA also has a multitude of services and programs to respond to the unique needs of women veterans. VA offers comprehensive, high-quality primary health care services for women, including Pap smears, mammography, and general reproductive health care. Along with these services, VA's mental health care for women includes substance abuse counseling, evaluation and treatment of military sexual trauma and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

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