January 2026 marked five years since the enactment of one of the most significant policy victories for women veterans. Named after the woman who brazenly disguised herself as a man so she could fight in the
Revolutionary War, the Deborah Sampson Act mandated historic investment in understanding the unique health care needs of women veterans and improving the quality of and access to comprehensive, gender-tailored care provided through the Department of Veterans Affairs.
“This landmark legislation codified a much-needed and far-reaching focus on the fastest-growing demographic of veterans,” said DAV Deputy National Legislative Director Naomi Mathis. “Over the past five years, we have seen notable progress, not the least of which is a better grasp on the experience of women veterans.”
The law includes 28 provisions, many of which require reports offering insight into the state of women veterans health care and resources at the VA. They address prostheses for women, child care support, military sexual trauma (MST), infertility services and more.