Issue Position: Supporting Our Veterans And Military

Issue Position

With the help of President Trump, we are successfully rebuilding our military. This year, we passed the largest pay raise in history for our men and women in uniform. We must support our troops.

When first elected to the Senate, I asked to be a member of the Veterans' Affairs Committee to represent the hundreds of thousands of veterans in Louisiana and ensure all veterans have the resources they need when reentering civilian life. On that committee, I have focused on improving veteran access to quality health care and holding members of the VA accountable for the health outcomes of our veterans.

After hearing reports that uncovered data showing over 100 VA nursing homes had higher rates of infections and decline in daily living skills than private facilities, I introduced and passed legislation to require the VA to publish the quality ratings of its 133 nursing homes nationwide. This information will help us ensure the VA is held accountable for veterans' outcomes and we can ensure they are receiving the best care possible.

Finding out the VA was requiring veterans to travel across the country for an organ transplant they could have received at a more qualified hospital miles from their home was concerning. As a doctor, I know this can lead to worse outcomes for those veterans. I secured passage of legislation as part of the VA MISSION Act to allow eligible veterans to receive these life-saving surgeries closer to home and I am working on legislation to bring better outcomes to all veterans.

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