(BOSTON 5/26/21) On Wednesday, May 26th, the Massachusetts State Senate voted to adopt budget amendment #530 sponsored by Senator John C. Velis. This amendment would provide $500,000 to expand the Women Veterans outreach program at the Department of Veteran Services and to conduct a study on the changing needs of Women Veterans in the Commonwealth.
“While women have been a crucial part of the US armed forces since the Second World War, it was less than a decade ago that they were finally allowed to serve in combat roles,” said Senator Velis. “By year 2040, it is estimated that Women Veterans will make up nearly 40% of our Veteran population in Massachusetts. They are the fastest growing demographic of Veterans and we must ensure that our Commonwealth is meeting their needs.”
The report would study in depth the current housing options for women veterans, the quality and availability of physical, mental, and reproductive healthcare, the availability of care for military related sexual trauma, and how to improve women Veterans outreach initiatives. The study would be due no later than January 1st, 2022 to the State Senate.
Senator Velis, the Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on Veterans and Federal Affairs, is a US Army Veteran himself and is still currently a major in the Army Reserves.
“I’ve had the honor of training and serving alongside many women in the military. It’s no secret that they face an entirely different set of challenges than their male counterparts,” stated Senator Velis. “Many of the services that our state provides for Veterans were not implemented with Women Veterans in mind. Women veterans have different medical needs, housing needs, and regrettably often need sexual trauma care. This study is the first step to making sure they get what they need and that no women Veterans fall between the cracks.”
The current Women Veterans outreach program in the Department of Veteran services is only a single-person position that is funded at $116,243 in the Senates original budget. Senator Velis noted that this low funding limits the programs ability to reach out and connect with women Veterans about benefits and resources available to them from the state.
“I’m proud to say that the armed forces have, as a general trend, have moved to equality between the genders. I want to make sure that this trend extends to Veterans who return to private non-military life.” said Senator Velis.
The amendment to the budget was adopted unanimously by the Senate. Now that the Senate budget is complete, it will go to a conference committee where differences with the House’s budget will be reconciled. It will then go to the Governor’s desk for his consideration.
###