Summary: Testimony was given concerning a GAO review of Veterans Administration (VA) efforts to provide health benefits to female veterans. GAO found that, although progress has been made in ensuring that medical care is available to female veterans, further action is needed to ensure that: (1) men and women have equal access to VA treatment programs and medical facilities; (2) women treated in VA facilities receive complete physical examinations; (3) needed gynecological care is provided; and (4) sufficient plans are made for the anticipated increase in numbers of female veterans. GAO found that, because of the lack of privacy at older VA facilities, women cannot obtain some specialized medical care. Medical-surgical facilities are generally able to handle the current number of female patients, but psychiatric facilities are not; and women with non-service-connected disabilities cannot always get gynecological care, and those with normal pregnancies cannot obtain obstetrical care. VA facilities could provide care to non-service-connected female veterans by sharing agreements with military hospitals which are now authorized. GAO also found that VA has not adequately considered the increasing female veteran population in long-range planning for construction or renovation projects or in designing facility renovations. No data are available on the female population likely to seek VA health care. Despite the actions which VA has taken to address female needs in veteran counseling centers, women still face problems of gaining acceptance in some centers. A recent VA circular has directed each medical center and outpatient clinic to develop and submit to the central office by June 30, 1983, a written plan for the care of female veterans, and plans for the correction of barriers which limit access of females to VA programs are to be incorporated in the 5-year construction plan for fiscal years 1985 through 1989.
