Boston City Councilor Ed Flynn, chair of the Committee on Veterans and Military Families, opened a March 20 hearing on services for women veterans and pressed city and VA officials about outreach and gender-specific care.

"Women veterans are the fastest growing population at the VA," Councilor Flynn said, adding that women make up "almost 70% of all new Veterans Health Administration patients" and noting about "300,000 veterans" of reproductive age in remarks to the committee. Flynn said the city will prioritize ensuring access to health benefits, support services and employment programs.

The hearing brought city and federal partners together to describe current services and outreach. Rob Santiago, commissioner of the City of Boston Office of Veterans Services, said the Boston VA maintains a women’s clinic on the Jamaica Plain campus and emphasized local outreach. "We strive to complement the VA's medical services by creating a holistic safety net for every veteran," Santiago said.

Rhonda Weiner, a pulmonary physician and researcher at the VA Boston Health Care System, testified about clinical needs and access. Weiner said reproductive health services and the availability of providers who make women veterans feel "comfortable and safe" are priorities. She noted that some women prefer female providers and that the Boston VA has programs to accommodate those preferences.

Council members and witnesses described local examples of women veterans’ leadership and peer support, citing Meredith Tuitt, commander of the William McCarter American Legion Post, and other leaders who participated in a city women veterans roundtable the night before the hearing. Committee members said peer groups and targeted outreach helped bring veterans back to the VA and to city services after earlier negative experiences.

Committee members also raised housing and childcare as distinct challenges for women veterans, particularly for those who are unhoused. Councilor Flynn said he is working with city housing officials to identify affordable units and family services for homeless veterans.

Several speakers warned that federal budget actions could undermine gains. Commissioner Santiago and others cited the PACT Act’s expansion of presumptive conditions and the influx of veterans seeking care, then expressed concern about possible federal staff and program cuts that could reduce services. Santiago said veterans should contact the city Office of Veterans Services for help navigating benefits and claims and provided the office contacts during the hearing.

The hearing closed with committee members urging continued local outreach, peer-led events and coordination with the Boston VA to ensure women veterans can access gender-specific care and support services.

Contact: Office of Veterans Services, City of Boston; email veterans@boston.gov; phone (617) 635-3026; website boston.gov/veterans.