Expand mental health support. Transition to civilian life. Marginalized community equity.
Our veterans face multiple issues from PTSD to financial insecurity. Although home ownership and college degrees for veterans rose these past few years, the pandemic has exacerbated existing problems from worsening mental health to unemployment. For veterans of color, women, and LGBTQ+ community, the global pandemic is highlighting systemic inequities in veteran support. Pre-COVID in Northern Virginia, the US Census Bureau indicated that out of 199,049 veterans living in the area, 4,688 lived in poverty, 31,431 were disabled, and 26,352 were over the age of 75. To address the inequity in our veterans’ support system, we must:
- Amend title 38 in HR 3582 to include LGBTQIA representation on the Advisory Committee on Minority Veterans
- Pass HR 2791 to establish an Advisory Committee on Tribal and Indian Affairs to advise the Department of Veteran’s Affairs (DVA) on issues related to Native American veterans
- Improve Black Veterans’ representation in DVA’s leadership
- Pass the Military Housing Oversight and Service Member Protection Act to help ensure quality housing for veterans and their families
- Pass Protecting Moms Who Served Act to improve maternal health and reporting on racial disparities
- Pass VA Mission Telehealth Clarification Act
- Work directly with veterans to appropriately implement veteran-driven budget recommendations
* note: The U.S Department of Veteran Affairs recommends veterans enroll in Medicare when they turn 65, even if they have VA benefits, so maximize your coverage. See Medicare FAQs for more info.