Skip to content
  • Subscribe
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Youtube
  • Instagram
  • Email
  • Home
  • News
  • Opinion
  • Entertainment
  • Features
  • Advertise
  • Subscribe to Ray’s Columns
Suburban Chicagoland

Suburban Chicagoland

Original News, Features & Opinion on local and regional news you won't find anywhere else

  • About
    • About
    • Advertise
    • Our Writers
      • Ray Hanania
      • Bill Lipinski
      • Biography: Aaron Hanania
    • Terms of Service
    • Privacy Policy
    • Reach Out
  • Sections
    • Events
    • Opinion
    • News
    • Features
    • Seniors
    • Comic Strip
  • Library
    • “MIdnight Flight” Online Book
      • Midnight Flight Book Overview
      • Midnight Flight Introduction
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 1
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 2
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 3
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 4
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 5
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 6
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 7
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 8
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 9
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 10
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 11
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 12
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 13
    • Villages, Cities & Towns
    • Federal Office Holders
    • County Officials
    • Legislators
  • Subscribe to Ray’s Columns
  • Comment
  • Podcast
    • Ray Hanania on Politics
    • Two Guys on Politics
    • Hanania on Tiktok
  • News Wire
  • Archive 2004-2013
  • Toggle search form
  • Father and two daughters Jeffery M Leving
    Father’s Fight to Protect his Abused and Badly Beaten Daughters Dads' Rights
  • Illinois Senator Michael Hastings addressing the Orland Township Democratic Organization Wednesday Oct. 12, 2022
    Hastings announces $75,000 grant for Olympia Fields Bicentennial Park renovations Illinois Legislature
  • Alleged Member of Chicago Street Gang Charged With Soliciting the Murder of Senior Law Enforcement Official Involved in “Operation Midway Blitz” Crime
  • IIEC Logo
    The Energy Omnibus Bill will increase rates over the rest of this decade as Illinois families and businesses toil under higher utility costs Business
  • Thaddeus Kosciuszko, Polish hero of the American Revolution. After arriving in America in 1776, Kosciuszko joined the Continental Army. As a skilled engineer, he made significant contributions to the war by designing fortifications for several strategic places such as Philadelphia, West Point, and Saratoga. Kosciuszko later returned to Poland to lead his native military in a 1794 uprising. In Detroit, Courtesy of WIkipedia
    Cook County Treasurer Pappas showcases Polish photographer’s first-ever American exhibit and honors Polish American Heritage Month in Chicago Cook County
  • On Saturday, October 4th, Cook County Commissioner Frank J. Aguilar hosted the Fifth Annual 16th District Dia de los Muertos Resource Fair at his district office. Partnering with Commissioner Aguilar were the Village of Lyons, Lyons School District 103, Teamsters Local 777, and Rincon Family Services.
    Commissioner Frank J. Aguilar Hosts Fifth Annual Dia de los Muertos Family Resource Fair  Cook County
  • Jesse Jackson Jr July 2025
    Jesse Jackson Jr. Launches Candidacy for Congress Civil Rights
  • Cook County Treasurer Maria Papas
    Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas to Celebrate Diwali by Recognizing Indian Community Leaders Cook County
  • Andrew Boutros US Attorney Illinois
    Statement of US Attorney Andrew S. Boutros and Federal Law Enforcement Leadership in Chicago on Ongoing Criminal Immigration Enforcement Operations Chicago
  • Cook County Treasurer Maria Papas
    The 5 Most Common Mistakes Homeowners Make with Property Taxes Cook County
  • Road construction cement truck. Photo courtesy of Ray Hanania
    Hastings: $123 million in IDOT projects will improve South Suburban roads through collaboration with local leaders construction
  • Source: Electric Power Monthly - U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA)
    Ratepayers will lose in the rush to approve battery storage electricity legislation in Springfield Business
  • Joyful reunion photo courtesy of Jeffery M. Leving & Assc law firm
    Leving Team Prevented a Father’s Wrongful Separation from His Child Dads' Rights
  • CTF Illinois Orland Park, 18230 Orland Pkwy, Orland Park, IL 60467
    Hastings, Giannoulias announce opening of temporary driver services facility in Orland Park Baby Boomers
  • Emagine Theater Pink popcorn
    Popcorn with a purpose: Emagine Theatres brings back Pink Caramel Corn to support Pink Fund during Breast Cancer Awareness Month Business
14th Illinois Congressional District Candidate Lauren Underwood. Photo By: R. Dione Foto (www.rdionefoto.com)

Underwood Works to Improve Access to Quality Health Care for Veterans

Posted on September 12, 2019 By Ray Hanania No Comments on Underwood Works to Improve Access to Quality Health Care for Veterans
SHARE THIS STORY
            
 
  

Underwood Works to Improve Access to Quality Health Care for Veterans

Congresswoman Lauren Underwood (IL-14) introduced The ACE Veterans Act which expands veterans’ access to contraceptives, includes an option for full-year supply. The Post-9/11 Veteran Suicide Prevention Counseling Act would improve suicide prevention for post-9/11 veterans

Congresswoman Lauren Underwood (IL-14) introduced the ACE Veterans Act and the Post-9/11 Veteran Suicide Prevention Counseling Act to improve veterans’ health by improving access to contraceptives and preventing veteran suicide by offering proactive screening and counseling to address the unique needs of post-9/11 veterans.

The Access to Contraception Expansion for Veterans (ACE Veterans) Act (H.R. 4281) would improve access to contraceptives for women veterans by giving them the option to receive a full year’s supply of birth control pills, patches, or rings at the VA. Currently, most veterans are only given a three-month supply, which can negatively impact the ease and efficacy of contraceptive access and use. According to a recent study published in JAMA Internal Medicine, a full-year dispensing option for oral contraceptive pills at the VA could reduce unintended pregnancies among women veterans and produce substantial cost savings for the VA. Seventeen states and the District of Columbia currently require insurers to cover a full-year supply for oral contraceptives. This legislation is co-sponsored by Congressman Conor Lamb (D-PA) and endorsed by the Service Women’s Action Network (SWAN) and AMVETS.

14th Illinois Congressional District Candidate Lauren Underwood. Photo By: R. Dione Foto (www.rdionefoto.com)
14th Illinois Congressional District Candidate Lauren Underwood. Photo By: R. Dione Foto (www.rdionefoto.com)

“Our veterans have served and sacrificed so much for us—the least we can do in return is ensure they get the best possible health care. The ACE Veterans Act will make it easier for veterans to get contraception, which in turn increases its efficacy. When you ask a veteran to pick up their contraception every few months rather than just once a year, it’s more than just a burden of a few extra drives to the pharmacy each year, it’s a burden that costs the VA money and makes women veterans more susceptible to unintended pregnancies. The ACE Veterans Act will reduce this burden and bring the VA’s current policy up-to-date with evidence-based policies implemented across the country,” said Underwood.

“The Service Women’s Action Network encourages Congressional leaders to pass the Access to Contraception Expansion Act for Veterans. Veteran women should receive the same level of care and support that servicewomen and civilian women enjoy. Birth control should be easily accessible and at no cost. This bill would improve access to birth control, and help improve health outcomes for women veterans,” said Ellen Haring, Ph.D., CEO, Service Women’s Action Network (SWAN).

The Post-9/11 Veteran Suicide Prevention Counseling Act (H.R. 4282) takes a proactive approach to address the veteran suicide crisis. The most recent VA National Suicide Data Report found that the highest rate of increase of veteran suicides is among veterans aged 18-34, a rate which has nearly doubled since 2005. As of 2018, every veteran in that age group had begun their service after September 11, 2001. Underwood’s legislation would help veterans and VA health care professionals address younger veterans’ unique health care needs by providing all post-9/11 veterans with suicide and lethal means counseling as a part of their first visit to a VA facility.

“The suicide rate for veterans in Illinois is almost double the rate of the general population. The numbers are troubling, of course, but these are not just numbers—these are our neighbors and friends and heroes who have served and sacrificed so much for our community and our country,” said Underwood. “In order to truly address the veteran suicide crisis and continue to destigmatize mental health care, we need to proactively provide veterans with counseling and mental health support. It’s crucial that this is an option before veterans have to ask for it, which sometimes is too late.”

As a member of the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, Underwood is committed to making sure that veterans are receiving the quality, affordable health care they have earned, including by addressing the veterans suicide crisis. Last month, Underwood introduced the Veterans Preventive Health Coverage Fairness Act with Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) to make health care more affordable for veterans and eliminate copays for preventive health services including contraception, immunizations, and cancer screenings. Underwood’s legislation would help reduce out-of-pocket expenses and co-pays for women veterans who choose to receive a full-year supply of contraceptives. In April, Underwood introduced the Veterans’ Care Quality Transparency Act to ensure both the VA and outside providers are offering veterans high-quality mental health and suicide prevention services. In May, this bipartisan legislation passed the House of Representatives and is awaiting consideration in the Senate.

newswire info
  • Author
  • Recent Posts
Ray Hanania
Ray Hanania
Ray Hanania is an award-winning columnist, author & former Chicago City Hall reporter (1977-1992). A veteran who served during the Vietnam War and the recipient of four SPJ Peter Lisagor Awards for column writing, Hanania writes weekly opinion columns on mainstream American & Chicagoland topics for the Southwest News-Herald, Des Plaines Valley News, the Regional News, The Reporter Newspapers, and Suburban Chicagoland.  

His award winning columns can be found at www.HANANIA.COM Subscribe FREE today

Hanania also writes about Middle East issues for the Arab News, and The Arab Daily News criticizing government policies in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Hanania was named "Best Ethnic American Columnist" by the New America Media in November 2007, and is the 2009 recipient of the SPJ National Sigma Delta Chi Award for column writing.

Email Ray Hanania at [email protected].

Follow RayHanania at Twitter
Ray Hanania
Latest posts by Ray Hanania (see all)
  • Father’s Fight to Protect his Abused and Badly Beaten Daughters - October 9, 2025
  • Hastings announces $75,000 grant for Olympia Fields Bicentennial Park renovations - October 8, 2025
  • Alleged Member of Chicago Street Gang Charged With Soliciting the Murder of Senior Law Enforcement Official Involved in “Operation Midway Blitz” - October 8, 2025
NPV: 32
  • Tweet

SHARE THIS STORY
            
 
  
 
 
 
           
Government, Health, National, Veterans, Veterans Column Tags:ACE Veterans Act, Congress, Lauren Underwood, legislation, new law, veterans. Contraception Expansion for Veterans

Post navigation

Previous Post: 9/11 remembered in Summit
Next Post: Illinois Joining Forces to Host Veteran’s Resource Fair as Part of Chicago Warrior Week

Related Posts

  • Chicago trade center recipient of Trump administration grant Government
  • Former Orland Park Mayor Dan McLaughlin files petitions to unseat beleaguered Mayor Keith Pekau. Photo courtesy of McLaughlinc ampaign
    Pekau uses Orland Village Board to put politics over people Blogger
  • Cook County Commissioner Joe Berrios
    Assessor Joseph Berrios returns $1.8 million to schools, municipalities in South and Southwest Cook County Government
  • William O. Lipinski former Congressman from Illinois (5th and later 3rd District). Photo courtesy of Wikipedia
    Lipinski Foundation All American Eagles presents Patriotism Awards Bill Lipinski
  • Orland Park Police Buzzed Driving is Drunk Driving campaign logo
    Orland Park Police Remind All to Plan for a Sober Ride This Halloween Cook County
  • Orland Fire Protection District fire truck photo for press releases
    Orland Firefighters battle separate apartment and home fires Friday night Fire

More Related Articles

Emanuel "Chris" Welch, the State Represenative of the 7th House District, was the keynote speaker at the Town of CIcero annual Commemoration for the late Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Photo courtesy of the Town of Cicero Rep. Welch delivers keynote speech at Cicero MLK commemoration Editors Pick
Recipients of the 2017 Director’s Community Leadership Awards, pictured with Director Christopher Wray, were honored in a ceremony at FBI Headquarters in Washington, D.C., on April 20, 2018. Photo courtesy of the FBI FBI presents 2017 Director’s Community Leadership Awards breaking news
Robert F. Kennedy Jr., candidate for President in the 2024 Presidential election. Photo courtesy of Wikipedia Presidential Candidate Bobby Kennedy Wins the Coveted Orphan Dream Award Events
Microphone in Radio Studio, Leving Law Firm Dad wins custody of child after defending false child abuse allegations Arthur Kallow
Refat and Miriam Zayed. Photo courtesy of the Zayed family Miriam Zayed passing mourned by Chicagolands Arab, Muslim community Blogger
OFPD applications for firefighters open through Oct. 20, 2025 Orland Fire Protection District now accepting applications for position of firefighter/paramedic Employment

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

Login with your Social ID
  • OPINION
  • 06-04-25 Two Guys on Politics Background Zoom LOGO with images
    Video Podcast: Trump Kimmel Kirk Great American Divide Illegal Aliens polling and Illegal Aliens and ICE
    September 20, 2025
  • Illinois House Speaker Emanuel "Chris" Welch speaking at a West Side affordable housing dedication
    Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch, one of the best candidates to become Illinois Governor
    September 7, 2025
  • Cook County Treasurer Maria Papas
    What You’re Missing on Your Property Tax Bill
    September 5, 2025
  • 05-23-25 Jeffery M. Leving
    Children of divorce caught in the middle during the holidays
    August 27, 2025
  • Cook County Treasurer Maria Papas
    We Can Help You Understand Your Property Taxes—In Nearly Any Language
    August 8, 2025
Subscribe to Ray Hanania's column graphic

Enter Your Email to Subscribe to Ray Hanania’s Columns

  • The-Kings-Pawn-Book-300-x-300.png

Mohammed Faheem The Lightning Strike Radio

  • NEWS
  • Father and two daughters Jeffery M Leving
    Father’s Fight to Protect his Abused and Badly Beaten Daughters
    October 9, 2025
  • Illinois Senator Michael Hastings addressing the Orland Township Democratic Organization Wednesday Oct. 12, 2022
    Hastings announces $75,000 grant for Olympia Fields Bicentennial Park renovations
    October 8, 2025
  • Alleged Member of Chicago Street Gang Charged With Soliciting the Murder of Senior Law Enforcement Official Involved in “Operation Midway Blitz”
    October 8, 2025
  • IIEC Logo
    The Energy Omnibus Bill will increase rates over the rest of this decade as Illinois families and businesses toil under higher utility costs
    October 8, 2025
  • Thaddeus Kosciuszko, Polish hero of the American Revolution. After arriving in America in 1776, Kosciuszko joined the Continental Army. As a skilled engineer, he made significant contributions to the war by designing fortifications for several strategic places such as Philadelphia, West Point, and Saratoga. Kosciuszko later returned to Poland to lead his native military in a 1794 uprising. In Detroit, Courtesy of WIkipedia
    Cook County Treasurer Pappas showcases Polish photographer’s first-ever American exhibit and honors Polish American Heritage Month in Chicago
    October 8, 2025
John Kass Columns

Order the book PoweR PR; Ethnic Activists Guide to Strategic Communications

YOUTUBE VIDEOS

CLICK TO SUBSCRIBE TO RAY HANANIA'S YOUTUBE VIDEOS


Click here to view the video on YouTube or use the widget below.

Follow Ray Hanania at
Twitter
Facebook
TitkTok
BlueSky
RayHanania Columns

Creative Commons License
All works on this website is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. Do not edit original work. Give credit to the original source.

Categories

Copyright © 2022 Suburban Chicagoland & Urban Strategies Group

Powered by PressBook Premium theme