Legion-backed bill would improve maternal health care for veterans
(U.S. Army photo)

Legion-backed bill would improve maternal health care for veterans

An American Legion-supported piece of legislation that would lay a foundation to serve a young and more diverse veteran population has been introduced in the House of Representatives.

The Protecting Moms Who Served Act was introduced by Rep. Lauren Underwood, D-Ill., and has bipartisan support. Original co-sponsors include Chairwoman of the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs (HVAC) Julia Brownley, D-Calif., Gus Bilirakis, R-Fla., and Brian Fitzpatrick, R-Pa. An additional 36 members of Congress have signed on to support the bill.

“I’m honored to have the support of The American Legion on the Protecting Moms Who Served Act,” said Underwood. “This legislation would commission the first-ever comprehensive study of maternal mortality, morbidity, and disparities in the veteran population, and it also supports the Department of Veterans Affairs’ maternity care coordination program. These are critical investments to save moms’ lives and ensure that our nation’s women veterans have access to the maternal health care and support they need and deserve.”

As demographics within the veteran community and the Department of Veterans (VA) change, VA continues to adapt to the growing number of women veterans seeking health care. As women remain the fastest growing veteran demographic, The American Legion will continue to advocate for Congress and VA to meet the unique medical needs of women veterans.

The Protecting Moms Who Served Act would lay an essential foundation as VA prepares to serve an increasingly younger, more diverse veteran population.

The American Legion supports the bill through Resolution No. 147: Women Veterans. The Legion seeks continued improvements in VA’s reproductive care and ensuring that the needs of women veterans are being met through comprehensive health services. Closing the gaps in areas of newborn, maternity and reproductive care ensures that women seeking health care through VA feel that it is a system built with them in mind.