Washington, DC – Recently, Chairwoman Julia Brownley (D-CA), along with Deputy Undersecretary Dr. Kameron Matthews, visited the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe and Standing Rock Sioux Tribe to meet with veterans to better understand the unique barriers to care faced by Native veterans.
“Indigenous people, particularly women, serve in the military at a higher rate than any other population, yet they are the least likely to have health insurance or pursue VA benefits. As Chair of the Women Veterans Task Force and the Veterans Affairs Subcommittee on Health, it is my number one priority to ensure all are veterans are receiving the equitable care they have earned and deserve,” said Congresswoman Brownley. “This visit provided me and Dr. Matthews with an opportunity to hear firsthand from tribes about their experience with VA and what their priorities are. I look forward to continuing to work with tribes, my colleagues in Congress, and VA to ensure that we address the systemic health inequities experienced by the veterans in Indian Country. I want to thank the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe and Standing Rock Sioux Tribe for opening up their communities to us and sharing their experiences with us — it was truly an honor.”
View photos from the visit here.
Issues: 116th Congress, Veterans' Affairs, Women Veterans Task Force