On this day, consider sacrifices of our men, women in uniform | Beckley Register-Herald
Every year on Veterans Day, we gather as a nation to express our deepest gratitude to the men and women who have fought to safeguard our beloved nation and secure our freedoms. No matter the war, no matter the rank, no matter the duty, every one of our veterans has answered America’s call. They have served us well and we must do the same for them.
One of the ways we can show our gratitude to our veterans is by providing them with the best possible care when they return home.
Earlier this fall, I had the honor of hosting U.S. Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) Robert McDonald in West Virginia to discuss the issues that our veterans care about the most. This was the first visit by a VA Secretary to Greenbrier County and the area served by the Beckley VA Medical Center in more than two decades. By far, the greatest concern our veterans had on the tour was accessing quality health care.
Secretary McDonald and I spoke with more than 200 southern West Virginia veterans about the future of the Greenbrier County Community-Based Outpatient Center (CBOC). We were thrilled to help announce that the CBOC would be up and running at a temporary location in Lewisburg by December at the latest while continuing the search for a new permanent location.
I am thankful for the VA, the West Virginia Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA) and our local veterans for working together to ensure this facility is reopened. The reopening of the Greenbrier CBOC is an important step to fulfilling the promise of care that was guaranteed to our veterans and active duty service members the day they enlisted.
West Virginia is a state filled with patriots. As of September 2014, The Mountain State was home to 167,000 veterans, approximately 13 percent of the nation’s total. At the same time, our state had four of the nation’s 150 VA hospitals, one of its 56 Regional Benefits offices, and just eight of its 831 CBOCs. Veterans’ access to health care remains limited as the need for such services grows. Nearly half of our state’s veterans are above the age of 65 and require increased medical attention.
Not one of the courageous West Virginians should have to come home from war and face another fight — a fight for the benefits, services and care they have earned as veterans. The United States’ military might is unparallelled throughout the world, yet we still need to improve how prepared we are to meet the needs of the men and women who serve our country once they return home, especially in terms of access to quality health care.
While I am pleased with the VA’s announcement on the Greenbrier CBOC, there is more work to be done to increase veterans’ access to care.
As a U.S. Senator, I consider it not only my honor but my duty to meet the needs of our veterans. In addition to ensuring a commitment from the VA to reopen the Greenbrier CBOC, I am also proud to have worked with local veterans and leaders to bring a permanent Princeton VA Clinic that will provide access to 1,200 veterans.
In the Senate, I have proudly introduced myriad legislation that will make sure our veterans receive the reliable care they need and deserve and allow the VA to run more efficiently and better provide for our Veterans. Just yesterday, I voted to pass legislation that provides an additional $2 billion in funding for VA benefits and programs. This funding will help address the shortages at our VA facilities and improve VA services so that all veterans have access to the treatment and care they earned and deserve.
While we have made progress in helping veterans, serious challenges remain in improving the urgent need of veterans’ access to quality healthcare in rural areas, especially in West Virginia. I look forward to continuing to work with my colleagues on the Veterans Affairs and Armed Services Committees to make sure that this country keeps its promises to our veterans.
As we reflect on this Veterans Day, I encourage everyone to take time to consider the many sacrifices that the men and women who serve our country in uniform have made to defend our freedom. They truly deserve the best treatment upon their return home, and improving Veterans’ access to health care is one of the most significant ways we can demonstrate our gratitude and support. It is because of them that America remains a beacon for all who love liberty and cherish freedom.
May God continue to bless our veterans and may He bless the United States of America and the great state of West Virginia.
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