Lujan Joins Gallup 'Veterans Helping Veterans' for Discussion on Health Care, COVID-19 Relief

Press Release

Today, Congressman Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), the U.S. House Assistant Speaker, participated in a call with the Gallup "Veterans Helping Veterans' group to discuss health care access, the federal response to the COVID-19 pandemic, and resources available for New Mexico veterans.

"America owes our veterans a debt of gratitude that can never be repaid. But we can make sure veterans have the full support of the federal government, especially now that we're faced with the COVID-19 pandemic," said Luján. "I'm thankful to the members of "Veterans Helping Veterans' for sharing their concerns about barriers to accessing VA care and their experiences during COVID-19. This pandemic has presented so many challenges for our veteran community, and it's my priority to ensure they have the support they need to weather this public health emergency."

Congressman Luján was a co-sponsor of the CARES Act, which included nearly $20 billion to continue serving veterans during the COVID-19 pandemic, including more than $14 billion to bolster the Department of Veterans Affairs COVID-19 response. Additionally, this legislation invested in telehealth services, state veterans' homes, and support for veterans experiencing housing insecurity or homelessness. Congressman Luján also voted for the House-passed Heroes Act, which allows veterans who lost their employer-based health coverage to receive health care from the VA and increases benefits for disabled veterans by 25 percent during the public health emergency.

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