Washington, D.C. — Today, Congresswoman Annie Kuster (NH-02) celebrated the groundbreaking of the Manchester VA’s new Women Veterans Health Clinic. The new Health Clinic is slated to open in 2025. In 2017, Kuster advocated for changes at the facility. Following the groundbreaking ceremony, Kuster issued the following statement:

“Our veterans represent the best our state and country have to offer, and they have made tremendous sacrifices to serve and protect our nation and our freedoms. We must ensure they can access the services and support they need to thrive when they return to civilian life. Women veterans must be afforded the same opportunities as their male counterparts, both at the VA and in their communities. 

“This groundbreaking project marks an important step in realizing that need by expanding the VA’s resources for women veterans in the Granite State. I am so proud of all the good work the Manchester VA does for our New Hampshire veterans, and I look forward to seeing the positive impact this expanded facility will have.”

Kuster has long advocated for critical infrastructure and service improvements at the facility, citing concerns about the quality of care provided to women veterans who use the Manchester VA Medical Center (VAMC). In 2017, Kuster led the New Hampshire federal delegation in sending a letter to Acting Director of the New Hampshire VAMC Alfred Montoya requesting the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs make necessary changes and long-term plans to accommodate women veterans’ unique health care needs. These changes include:

• Providing a separate entrance for women veterans to access services at the medical center;
• Relocating the Women’s Health Clinic to the first floor or in a separate building on the premises; and
• Improving medical spaces provided for women veterans at the medical center, especially the Women’s Health Clinic.

A copy of the letter is available here.

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