FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
December 10, 2020
CONTACT: press@iava.org

New York, NY – Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA), the nation’s leading post-9/11 veterans empowerment organization, applauds the Senate for their passage of the Deborah Sampson Act, the centerpiece of IAVA’s #SheWhoBorneTheBattle campaign. 

At the beginning of 2017, in the basement of the Capitol building, Senator Tester (D-MT) and IAVA leadership committed to addressing the severe gaps in healthcare for women veterans, and work on the Deborah Sampson Act began.

“As the fastest growing veteran cohort, it is past time that women veterans receive care that is equal to both their male veteran counterparts and care that civilians receive,” stated Jeremy Butler, IAVA CEO, “ The Deborah Sampson Act takes a giant step toward closing those gaps as well as helping to ensure veterans feel safe when accessing care at VA.” 

The Deborah Sampson Act aims to significantly reduce barriers to care for women veterans while also expanding services to address issues like reintegration, homelessness, and newborn care. It includes provisions to address sexual harassment and assault in VA facilities and establishes an Office of Women’s Health directly under the Undersecretary of VA for Health.

“For over three years IAVA has worked tirelessly to push the Deborah Sampson Act over the finish line, and we are almost there. We thank Senators Tester and Boozman for their continuous support of women veterans and for their commitment to seeing this pass,” Butler continued.  

The Senate’s passage of the Deborah Sampson Act also included a large veterans package that includes two pieces of IAVA-supported legislation. These provisions would provide assistance for homeless veterans, veteran job retraining assistance, and the creation of an advisory committee on Tribal and Indian Affairs. The legislation now moves on to the House of Representatives for a vote before ultimately heading to President Trump’s desk for official passage. 

IAVA is the voice for the post-9/11 veteran generation. With over 400,000 veterans and allies nationwide, IAVA is the leader in non-partisan veteran advocacy and public awareness. We drive historic impacts for veterans and IAVA’s programs are second to none. Any veteran or family member in need can reach out to IAVA’s Quick Reaction Force at quickreactionforce.org or 855-91RAPID (855-917-2743) to be connected promptly with a veteran care manager who will assist. IAVA’s The Vote Hub is a free tool to register to vote and find polling information. IAVA’s membership is always growing. Join the movement at iava.org/membership.

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