Memorial Day is a good time to honor our veterans, and not just those who are deceased.
The American Legion Auxiliary poppy days that start today are a way to show support and help the auxiliary with its mission of meeting the continuing needs of our veterans. Volunteers will be offering red crepe paper poppies in exchange for donations.
On the national level, let’s talk about the medial needs of veterans this Memorial Day.
This week, U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran (R-Kansas) joined U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) as a sponsor of the Prioritizing Veterans’ Access to Mental Health Care Act (S.841). According to Moran’s newsletter, the legislation would allow veterans to receive immediate access to mental health treatment outside the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and offers incentives to prioritize hiring more mental health care professionals at the VA.
“From the startling veteran suicide rate, to ongoing delays in hiring the thousands of licensed professional mental health counselors (LPMHC) and marriage and family therapists (MFT) needed within the VA, it is clear we have a crisis in this country when it comes to addressing the invisible wounds of war our veterans face,” Moran said. “At a time when 50 percent of our service men and women returning home seek mental health care treatment, it is critical that the VA follow through on its commitment and responsibilities to offer the best quality health care our nation can provide.”
Both the House and Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committees have been reviewing the Choice Program this week. Moran and Rep. Mullin (R-Okla.) propose to improve implementation of the program with The Veterans Access to Community Care Act of 2015 (S. 207). According to Moran, “(It) would make certain veterans like those in largely-rural states like Kansas are not excluded from accessing care promised through the Choice Program simply because of where they live. Our legislation calls on the VA to use its authority to provide veterans access to non-VA health care when the nearest VA medical facility within 40 miles drive time from a veteran’s home does not offer the care sought by the veteran.”
Doing the right thing for our veterans is often lauded, but we balk when the actual cost is calculated. As we decorate graves of loved ones, we are reminded of the cost some paid to serve this nation.