[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 98 (Friday, June 26, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1633]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               WOMEN VETERANS HEALTH CARE IMPROVEMENT ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                        HON. SHEILA JACKSON-LEE

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 23, 2009

  Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support 
of H.R. 1211, ``Women Veterans Health Care Improvement Act.'' I would 
like to thank my colleague, Congresswoman Herseth Sandlin, for 
introducing this bill, and providing leadership on this important 
issue.
  In the wake of the recent Democratic Presidential victory, we 
witnessed an historic time in our electoral system. Now is the time to 
address the major ongoing disparities that exist for our minority and 
women. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton once said, ``There 
cannot be true democracy unless women's voices are heard. There cannot 
be true democracy unless women are given the opportunity to take 
responsibility for their own lives. There cannot be true democracy 
unless all citizens are able to participate fully in the lives of their 
country.'' And today, there cannot be true democracy unless women 
receive the same care and treatment in the military as their male 
counterparts. In addition to the health care reform debate, H.R. 1211 
``Women's Veterans Health Care Improvement Act'' will be an essential 
piece to the health care reform bill.
  As the 111th Congress and 44th President of the United States undergo 
swift actions to reform our health care system it's important we get 
reform right! It will be a long-term problem if we don't implement the 
right kind of change now, which needs to include all Americans of every 
race, every gender, and in every condition. Without comprehensive 
reform, our government will have failed to serve our people in a time 
when the people elected for change.
  This legislation will expand and improve health care services 
available to women veterans, especially those serving in Operation 
Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. Women Veterans Health 
Care Improvement Act requires the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to: (1) 
study barriers encountered by women veterans to the provision by the 
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) of comprehensive health care; (2) 
assess all health care services and programs provided by the VA for 
women veterans; (3) provide graduate education, training and 
certification for mental health professionals who provide counseling, 
care, and services to women veterans suffering from sexual trauma and 
post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD); and (4) carry out a pilot 
program of child care for certain women veterans receiving health care 
from VA facilities.
  For 19 out of the past 22 fiscal years, appropriated funds for 
medical care were not provided to the Department of Veterans Affairs 
before the commencement of its new fiscal year, causing the Department 
great challenges in planning and managing care for enrolled veterans.
  By providing the access and care for women in the military, we will 
meet the vital obligation to provide health care to all veterans. 
Congress must take action in ensuring our veterans who return home 
sick, injured, or even healthy will receive the quality health care 
they deserve. As acts in an unprecedented time, I urge my colleagues to 
set aside the bickering and come together on a united front to ensure 
all of our citizen's happiness in a quality health care system. Only 
then can we live out the true meaning of our country, democracy.

                          ____________________