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Trump, Harris Differ on Support for Vets Exposed to Forever Chemicals
(OpEd) Brigadier General Steve Anderson | Defense Opinion
As voters, it’s imperative to consider which candidate is prepared to tackle the pressing issues facing our veterans. The contrast is clear: one candidate is seeking to address a critical health crisis among our military personnel, while the other looks down on those who were disabled on the battlefield.
Donald Trump's 'Headaches' Are Seriously Harming Our Veterans
(OpEd) Assistant VA Secretary Kayla M. Williams | Newsweek
Vice President Kamala Harris is squarely focused on the care economy and wants to build a strong, functional government. While Trump minimizes the brain injuries troops sustained while he was in office, she is working to ensure those troops and their families will be able to thrive in the decades to come.
Former surgeon general says Harris-Walz best choice for mental health policy
(OpEd) Vice Admiral Richard H. Carmona, M.D., USPHS (Ret) | Arizona Daily Star
Health care should never be partisan and works best across the political aisle. Vice President Kamala Harris and Governor Tim Walz have strong track records and have tackled mental health issues, including suicide, and physical health, with empathy and concern.
JD Vance’s dangerous push to further privatize the VA
(OpEd) The Honorable Kayla M. Williams | Trib Live
Trump and Vance want to push more veterans into community care despite the irrefutable fact that VA provides better care to increasingly satisfied veterans. Their goal to push more veterans into unregulated community care won’t save taxpayers any money, but it will harm veterans.
Your View from a retired brigadier general: This presidential candidate would prioritize suicide prevention for military, veterans
(OpEd) Brigadier General Stephen N. Xenakis, M.D. | The Morning Call
As someone who has dedicated their career to treating those who have served our country, I am hopeful that we are finally moving in the right direction. But the work is far from over, and it will require all of us — policymakers, medical providers and the public — to continue fighting for the mental health care our military personnel and veterans need and deserve.
Charles Bolden: Honoring our promise and commitment to military families
(OpEd) Major General Charles Bolden | Trib Live
As we move forward, let us embrace this moment with urgency. The fight for justice and support for our veterans continues, and together, we can forge a path where every service member and their family receive the honor and care they have earned. Our commitment to our troops and their families reflects the strength and resilience of our communities and our nation. Let us stand united in this vital endeavor, ensuring that our military families are supported, empowered and honored.
PACT Act shows Biden’s leadership on veterans’ issues
(OpEd) Vice Admiral Herm Shelanski | The Virginian Pilot
When it comes to veterans, former President Donald Trump is all talk and no action. He tried to mislead the public with sweeping claims that his administration dramatically improved veterans’ health care, but it did not. On camera, he claims to support our military. Off camera, he sells them out, disrespecting our military leaders while praising despots such as Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.
Congress Needs To Do the Right Thing—Support Our Combat-Injured Servicemembers
(OpEd) Rear Admiral Tom Jurkowsky | RealClear Defense
The former Chief of Naval Information discusses why it’s time for Congress to do the right thing and fix an inequity that is affecting our combat injured veterans.
Retired military officials: Protecting abortion care keeps America safe
(OpEd) Secretaries Louis Caldera, Ray Mabus, & Deborah James | Washington Post
Three former service secretaries explain why reproductive care and bodily autonomy are more than a matter of principle. It’s a matter of national security.
The VA assists Veterans in a Way the Private System Cannot
(OpEd) David Shulkin | Ripon Forum
Once inside the VA, I saw firsthand the unique attributes of the system, and if reformed and optimized, that VA could meet the needs of veterans in a way that could not be replicated in the private sector.
Former VA secretary: The time is now to heed this critical lesson about the cost of war
(OpEd) Secretary David Shulkin | CNN
Dr. David Shulkin was the ninth secretary of the US Department of Veterans Affairs in the Trump administration and the VA’s undersecretary for health in the Obama administration.