President John F. Kennedy once said, “A nation reveals itself not only by the men it produces but also by the men it honors, the men it remembers. On Veterans Day, we honor the women and men who have protected our country’s freedoms. It’s important to fight for those who have fought for us. I’m committed to taking care of our veterans.
When I was Governor, I signed a bill fully exempting military retirement benefits from state income tax.We launched a state program to ease the transition from military service to civilian employment. We increased pay for Nebraska Veterans Affairs’ care technicians by 20%.We celebrated Purple Heart Day at the Nebraska Capitol.We also merged the NebraskaVA Department and the Division ofVeterans’ Homes to create a one-stop shop for veterans’ services.
In the Senate, I’m ensuring Nebraska veterans have access to quality healthcare. That’s why I introduced the bipartisan CARING for Our Veterans Health Act. This bill will improve information-sharing between community care providers and VA medical centers. Nearly 75% of veterans return to VA medical centers for continued care after receiving services from community providers. However, the VA currently lacks capabilities to track medical documentation from community care providers. This jeopardizes oversight and clinical coordination. I am also introducing The MIND Our Veterans Act. It will ensure that servicemembers receive effective, evidence-based mental health screenings prior to separation from active duty. These bills would help the VA provide veterans with the care they deserve.
