Apr 30, 2020
One of VA's largest regional health care networks has come under scrutiny by the Department's inspector general's office.
The North Texas VA Health Care System reportedly went without a full-time gynecologist for almost two years. Other issues reported includes a lack of privacy and secure spaces for female patients, according to the Jan. 23 report from the VA Office of the Inspector General.
Texas has the largest population of women veterans in the country, according to VA population data.
The report, titled Deficiencies in the Women Veterans Health Program and Other Quality Management Concerns at the North Texas VA Healthcare System, said the VA Inspector General determined that the North Texas VA Hospital had a "long-standing deficiency" of resources for women veterans. The shortfalls included a shortage of equipment, supplies and space for "gender-specific care."
VFW Commander-in-Chief William "Doc" Schmitz said that the lack of resources for women at any VA medical facility is "unacceptable" and something the VFW will not tolerate.
"The VFW expects VA to give high-quality health care to all of its patients," Schmitz said. "With these troubling findings being reported, we demand that the North Texas VA and all other VA health care systems work to provide better services for the more than 2 million women veterans across the nation."
In 2017, VA reported that the percentage of women veterans would increase over the next quarter of a century. By 2042, VA estimated that there will be about 2.2 million women out of an estimated total of 12.5 million veterans.
Women veterans who have questions about VA health care can contact VA by calling or texting 1.855.VA.WOMEN (1.855.829.6636).