I 
111TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION H. R. 2583 
To direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to improve health care for women 
veterans, and for other purposes. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
MAY 21, 2009 
Mr. BOSWELL (for himself, Mr. LATHAM, Mr. BRALEY of Iowa, Mrs. CAPPS, 
and Mr. LOEBSACK) introduced the following bill; which was referred to 
the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs 
A BILL 
To direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to improve health 
care for women veterans, and for other purposes. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Women Veterans Ac-
cess to Care Act’’. 
SEC. 2. FINDINGS. 
Congress makes the following findings: 
(1) As of 2008, 15 percent of members of the 
Armed Forces are women. 
VerDate Nov 24 2008 
19:18 May 24, 2009
Jkt 079200
PO 00000
Frm 00001
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H2583.IH
H2583
hsrobinson on PROD1PC76 with BILLS
(2) As of 2008, one of every 10 members of the 
Armed Forces serving in Iraq is a woman. 
(3) As of 2006, more than 16,000 single moth-
ers have served in Iraq and Afghanistan. 
(4) As of 2008, an estimated one-third of 
women veterans who have sought counseling at the 
Department of Veterans Affairs report having been 
the victim of rape or attempted rape during their 
service. 
(5) As of 2008, women are the fastest growing 
group within the veteran population. 
(6) As of 2008, 11 percent of Operation Endur-
ing Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom veterans 
were women. 
(7) As of 2006, more than 155,000 women have 
served in Operation Enduring Freedom or Operation 
Iraqi Freedom. 
(8) As of 2008, nearly half of all women vet-
erans who served in Operation Enduring Freedom or 
Operation Iraqi Freedom have enrolled with Depart-
ment of Veterans Affairs health care. 
VerDate Nov 24 2008 
19:18 May 24, 2009
Jkt 079200
PO 00000
Frm 00002
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H2583.IH
H2583
hsrobinson on PROD1PC76 with BILLS
SEC. 3. EMPHASIS ON HEALTH CARE FOR WOMEN VET-
ERANS. 
(a) EMPHASIS.—In providing health care services to 
women veterans, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall 
ensure that an emphasis is placed on the following: 
(1) With respect to physical health, conditions 
including— 
(A) sexual reproductive health; 
(B) preventative medicine and early detec-
tion of problems; 
(C) sexual trauma; 
(D) special needs of women with pros-
thetics; 
(E) rehabilitation; and 
(F) other conditions the Secretary con-
siders appropriate. 
(2) With respect to mental health, issues in-
cluding— 
(A) stress reduction (including the reduc-
tion of stress associated with balancing chil-
dren, family, and work responsibilities); 
(B) services for depression, anxiety, post- 
traumatic stress disorder, and substance abuse; 
(C) conflict resolution; and 
(D) other issues the Secretary considers 
appropriate. 
VerDate Nov 24 2008 
19:18 May 24, 2009
Jkt 079200
PO 00000
Frm 00003
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H2583.IH
H2583
hsrobinson on PROD1PC76 with BILLS
(3) 
Improving 
health-related 
telecommuni-
cations technologies. 
(4) Providing care to women veterans who— 
(A) served in Operation Enduring Free-
dom or Operation Iraqi Freedom; 
(B) live in a rural location; or 
(C) are homebound or elderly. 
(5) With respect to health professionals em-
ployed by the Department of Veterans Affairs, issues 
including— 
(A) hiring health professionals who are 
specialists in fields related to women’s health; 
and 
(B) offering additional training on special 
issues regarding women veterans. 
(b) STUDY.—The Secretary shall conduct a study on 
health care for women veterans. Such study shall— 
(1) identify the main causes of stress among 
women veterans; 
(2) determine the most effective method to re-
duce such stress; and 
(3) evaluate the various private and public 
health care systems in which women veterans receive 
care (including mental health care). 
VerDate Nov 24 2008 
19:18 May 24, 2009
Jkt 079200
PO 00000
Frm 00004
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H2583.IH
H2583
hsrobinson on PROD1PC76 with BILLS
(c) REPORT.—Not later than one year after the date 
of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit 
to Congress a report containing— 
(1) an evaluation of the activities conducted by 
the Secretary pursuant to subsection (a); 
(2) the findings of the study required by sub-
section (b); and 
(3) such recommendations for legislative or ad-
ministrative action the Secretary considers appro-
priate to improve health care for women veterans. 
SEC. 4. OUTREACH TO WOMEN VETERANS AND FAMILIES. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of Veterans Affairs 
shall carry out an outreach program to provide women vet-
erans and families of such veterans with information con-
cerning the following: 
(1) The various resources available to such vet-
erans and families, including mental and behavioral 
resources. 
(2) The conditions and issues such veterans 
may experience, including those described under sec-
tion 3(a). 
(3) The challenges that family members of such 
veterans, especially spouses and children, may expe-
rience. 
VerDate Nov 24 2008 
19:18 May 24, 2009
Jkt 079200
PO 00000
Frm 00005
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H2583.IH
H2583
hsrobinson on PROD1PC76 with BILLS
(b) AUTHORITY TO CONTRACT.—The Secretary may 
enter into a contract with a public or private entity to 
carry out this section. 
Æ 
VerDate Nov 24 2008 
19:18 May 24, 2009
Jkt 079200
PO 00000
Frm 00006
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6301
E:\BILLS\H2583.IH
H2583
hsrobinson on PROD1PC76 with BILLS