I’ve served in combat alongside heroes who returned home with lasting injuries. For many of them, the toughest battle didn’t happen overseas — it happened back home, fighting a system that failed to deliver the care they were promised.
In our office, we hear the same story from veterans across our communities: months or even years of waiting for the VA to approve life-changing treatments they urgently need.
The problem: Medical breakthroughs are happening every day — from cutting-edge mobility technology to innovative rehabilitation therapies — but too often, the VA isn’t getting these solutions into the hands of veterans who need them most.Â
Why it matters: Combat and training place servicemembers at a higher risk for spinal cord injuries. Today, more than 27,000 veterans live with chronic back issues, while timely, effective care remains just out of reach.
The solution: We’re leading the bipartisan Veterans STAND Act to ensure veterans with spinal cord injuries get faster access to better care.Â
Our bill would:Â
🩺 Guarantee annual spinal cord injury checkups to catch complications early
🤖 Allow the VA to use treatments and assistive technologies that improve quality of life
🧠Bring in outside experts so VA care keeps pace with medical advancesÂ
📊 Track results so Congress knows what’s working — and what’s not
Bottom Line: Every branch says it differently, but the promise is the same — no one gets left behind. I’m fighting to make sure America keeps that promise long after the uniform comes off.