Senator Hassan Held Virtual Roundtable to Discuss Bipartisan Legislation That Will Support Women Veterans in New Hampshire and Across the Country

WASHINGTON – In case you missed it, U.S. Senator Maggie Hassan, a new member of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee, held a virtual roundtable discussion this week on how the bipartisan Deborah Sampson Act, which is now law, will help eliminate barriers to care and services for many women veterans. Senator Hassan joined in introducing the Deborah Sampson Act and recently voted to pass this legislation as part of a larger bipartisan veterans package that also included additional Hassan-backed priorities to support Granite State veterans.

See below for coverage highlights:

My Champlain Valley: New Hampshire Sen. Hassan hosts virtual discussion to address needs for female veterans

By Dana Casullo

Senator Maggie Hassan was one of the lawmakers who introduced the bipartisan Deborah Sampson Act which gives the VA more resources and tools to address the needs for female veterans. This includes improving medical services for women’s healthcare. 

“Particular focus for instance on improving maternity and newborn care, and ensuring that all VA medical services have a women’s health primary care provider on staff,” Senator Hassan said. 

It is designed to eliminate many barriers women face 

“When you think about the fact that overall less than one percent of America’s population serves, and then you think about what percentage of that group are females, it’s a very small group of people,” Senator Hassan said. 

Navy veteran Krystal Letourneau, lives in the North Country in New Hampshire. She said one challenge veterans face is coping with “starting over” in society after military service.

“Transitioning, my biggest question was what do I do now,” Letourneau said. […]

Caledonian Record: Naval Veteran Looks To Connect Local Servicepeople

By Paul Hayes

Krystal Letourneau felt alone.

After completing her service in the U.S. Navy, the Lisbon native returned home in 2015 and found the North Country a difficult place to transition to civilian life.

The rural area lacked support services. The military didn’t provide much of a roadmap when she was discharged. And she struggled to find other veterans who could offer advice or answer questions.

[…] Letourneau participated in a roundtable on women veteran’s issues hosted by Sen. Maggie Hassan on Monday.

During the hour-long discussion, women talked about the particular problems they face, both during and after their military service.

According to a Veteran’s Administration official, 24 percent of women who set foot on a VA campus have reported harassment.

In response, the VA has opened women’s health clinics at its Manchester and White River Junction facilities. […]

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