Pennsylvania lawmaker: Review VA services for women veterans

WASHINGTON (AP) — A Pennsylvania lawmaker is calling on the Veterans Affairs Department’s inspector general to review the agency’s services for female veterans.

In a letter on March 12, GOP Rep. Ryan Costello joined Democratic Rep. Dina Titus of Nevada and nine other lawmakers in asking what fixes may be needed to help the fast-growing numbers of women who served in the military.

Costello and Titus are members of the House Veterans Affairs Committee. Their request focuses in part on privacy standards and the VA’s ability to provide women’s care, such as gynecological services.

The IG’s office said it couldn’t comment until it had seen the letter.

The lawmakers’ request comes after a report by the Disabled American Veterans last year identified serious gender gaps in virtually every program serving veterans.