Murt Resolution on Women in the Military Passes Committee
HARRISBURG—A resolution sponsored by Rep. Tom Murt (R-Montgomery/Philadelphia) asking the federal government to investigate the needs of women in the military has passed the Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee.
House Resolution 264 asks Congress to expeditiously address the health, social and economic needs of our female veterans.
“The Disabled American Veterans recently released a study that detailed how the needs of women in the military are not being adequately addressed,” Murt said. “Their research showed that America’s nearly 300,000 women veterans are put at risk by a system designed for and dominated by male veterans. The Veterans Administration and Department of Defense are still not fully prepared to provide equitable access to the gender-specific care and services that women need, even as the demand for such care increases.”
Among the issues Murt wants investigated include the problem of Military Sexual Trauma and the limited number of VA medical centers capable of positively identifying the problem.
“The VA and the Department of Defense also have difficulty providing gender-specific peer support, group therapy, and specialized inpatient mental health care designed to meet the needs and preferences of women,” Murt said.
The study also found that women in the military who have lost limbs may not receive support and care tailored to their needs, and women are less likely to have a prosthetic that fits properly.
“We must also examine why Post-9/11 women veterans have higher unemployment rates than male veterans and non-veteran women,” Murt said. “These labor market challenges are exacerbated by medical and mental health concerns. Sadly, women veterans are at least twice as likely to be homeless as non-veteran women.”
House Resolution 264 now moves to the whole House for a vote.
Representative Thomas P. Murt
152nd District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: David Foster
267.207.0207
dfoster@pahousegop.com
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