Disabled veterans showed up in force for our 2018 Roll on Capitol Hill advocacy event, reminding everyone that their determination and passion to do what is right was not lost when they took off the uniform.
The issues our veteran participants discussed during Hill visits included supporting the rights of our disabled veterans by advocating for permanent funding for the VA Choice Program, which permits veterans to continue to have the opportunity to secure care close to home; and the Disabled Veterans Life Insurance Act of 2017 (HR 4146), which increases insurance amounts for service-disabled veterans.
During the event, VetsFirst awarded Senator Johnny Isakson (Republican- GA) with the James J. Peters Distinguished Veterans Legislator Award, accepted by Leslie Campbell with the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee for the Senator’s leadership in supporting the rights of our disabled veterans by advocating for permanent funding for the VA Choice Program.
Additionally, Senator John Boozman (Republican- AR) voiced his promise to co-sponsor S. 486, the Protecting Beneficiary Access to Complex Rehab Technology Act. Together VetsFirst and United Spinal were successful in gaining support for numerous bills supporting disability rights and access!
VetsFirst also sent a letter of support to Congressman Donald McEachin (Democrat-VA) for his bill Disabled Access Credit Expansion Act which offer additional incentives for small businesses to comply with ADA requirements which will result in expanded access and job opportunities for disabled veterans.