More women veterans turning to VA for care, benefits than ever before

More than 53,000 women veterans enrolled in the Department of Veterans Affairs health care between May 2023 and May 2024, marking a 20 percent increase over the previous year and the largest enrollment year for women veterans on record.

According to a June 12 release from VA , health care enrollment of women veterans increased across all 50 states, with the greatest number of enrollments in: Texas (6,507), Florida (4,666), California (4,318), Virginia (3,806), Georgia (2,937) and North Carolina (2,776).

“It’s our goal for every woman veteran to receive all the benefits she has earned, and that includes world-class health care,” said VA Under Secretary for Health Dr. Shereef Elnahal. “We want women veterans to know that VA has invested in more services for women veterans than ever before. VA can now offer women the best and most accessible options for all their care needs, and we want them to apply for the health care they deserve today.”

This historic enrollment of women veterans into VA health care and benefits is driven in large part by the PACT Act, which was signed into law in August 2022. The measure empowers VA to deliver health care and benefits to veterans of all eras exposed to toxins while serving in the military.

VA is also delivering disability compensation benefits to an all-time record number of women veterans, with 717,141 women veterans currently receiving disability compensation benefits today. Over the past five years, an additional 197,667 women veterans have begun receiving benefits, representing a 28 percent increase.

More than 89 percent of women veterans who have applied have received disability benefits from VA for at least one condition, on average receiving $27,109 in earned disability compensation benefits per year.

“Today, the more than 2 million women veterans living in the U.S. make up our fastest-growing veteran population,” said VA Deputy Secretary Tanya Bradsher. “It’s important to all of us here at VA that every woman veteran knows she belongs at VA.”

The release also notes that over the past two years, VA has expanded breast cancer screenings and mammograms for veterans with toxic exposures, increased access to reproductive health services and expanded maternity care coordination for veterans from pregnancy through 12 months post-partum.

VA also has a dedicated Women Veterans Call Center. Call or text 855-VA-WOMEN (855-829-6636) or use the online chat feature.

Reach Julia LeDoux at Julia@connectingvets.com .