SC Alaska News

U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski and Jacky Rosen, alongside Representative Lauren Underwood, have introduced new legislation aimed at improving facilities for nursing mothers in Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) medical centers. The proposed Lactation Spaces for Veteran Moms Act seeks to ensure that all VA medical centers are equipped with hygienic and private spaces dedicated to nursing veterans, employees, and their partners.

Currently, only 90 VA medical centers across the United States offer such designated rooms. This legislation is intended to address the needs of over two million female veterans in the country, many of whom require access to appropriate nursing facilities.

Senator Murkowski emphasized the importance of this initiative by stating, “There are over two million female veterans in this country, and yet only half of VA facilities have designated nursing rooms.” She highlighted the recent renaming of the Alaska VA Medical Campus after Colonel Mary Louise Rasmuson as a step towards making all veterans feel welcome but noted that more actions are necessary to meet women's needs within the VA's constituency.

Senator Rosen expressed her support by noting that "VA facilities should be equipped to serve all veterans, including nursing mothers." She described the legislation as "commonsense" and emphasized its bipartisan nature aimed at providing veteran mothers with access to necessary nursing spaces.

Representative Underwood added her perspective as a nurse, stating, “Every mom should be able to breastfeed in a clean, safe, and private space, and our veterans deserve the best.” She underscored the health benefits of breastfeeding for both mothers and babies and stressed that the legislation would ensure VA facilities are adequately prepared to support veteran families.