Women veterans are increasing in number, but many still struggle to have their military service recognized in medical settings. More than two million women veterans live in the United States, and they represent the fastest-growing segment of the veteran population. As more women leave military service, questions remain about whether health care systems are prepared to identify and address the specific challenges they may face.
The issue extends beyond recognition. Women veterans experience higher rates of some health concerns, including homelessness, cardiovascular disease and mental health conditions. According to Newsweek, many of these challenges are connected to gaps in how institutions identify veterans and consider their service history when providing care.
A Service History Often Missing from Medical Conversations
A major concern raised by advocates is that many health care providers do not routinely ask patients whether they have served in the military. Around three-quarters of veterans receive some or all of their medical care outside the Department of Veterans Affairs, meaning civilian clinics and hospitals often become the first place where service-related health factors could be identified.
Dr. Evelyn Lewis, a retired Navy officer and President and Chair of the Veterans Health and Wellness Foundation, said that failing to ask about military service can affect how clinicians evaluate a patient’s condition. According to her, knowing that a patient served can change the questions a provider asks and may influence the care considered.
Military sexual trauma remains one of the areas where the gap is especially visible. According to Newsweek, roughly one in three women screened through VA care report a military sexual trauma experience, compared with about one in 50 men. Among recent women veterans receiving VA care, those who screened positive for military sexual trauma had a suicide rate around 45 percent higher than those who did not.
Dr. Lewis has argued that asking about military connections should become a routine part of medical assessments. She has suggested that providers ask every patient whether they or a family member has served, allowing clinicians to consider possible links between military experiences and later health concerns.
States Begin Creating Pathways for Military Service Screening
Efforts to address this issue have started through state legislation. Maryland Senate Bill 740, known as the SFC Matthew Fast Act, took effect in October 2025. The law authorizes health care facilities in Maryland to screen for and document patients’ military service status, making it the first legislation of its kind in the country.
Virginia later followed with House Bill 1504, which took effect on July 1, 2026. Both laws include not only veterans but also spouses, children and stepchildren of service members. The Veterans Health and Wellness Foundation worked with military families to support both measures.
The laws authorize screening but do not require health care providers to ask the question. Dr. Lewis said she intends to continue advocating for mandatory screening as more states consider similar approaches. She believes identifying military connections should be viewed as part of responsible medical care.
The issue was also highlighted during a Women’s History Month event in Bethesda, Maryland, called A Serenade for Strength: Honoring Her Service | Healing Her Journey. The event focused on women veterans through music, storytelling and recognition.
Dr. Lewis said continued visibility remains necessary because many people are still unaware of the experiences of women who served. As the number of women veterans grows, advocates argue that health care systems will need to adapt to ensure their service history is recognized when it matters.
