Wounded Warrior Project Takes Legislative Priorities to Congress
JACKSONVILLE, Fla., March 6, 2018 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Wounded Warrior Project® (WWP) took its legislative agenda to congressional leaders while testifying on Capitol Hill.
WWP tirelessly advocates for our nation's finest, improving the lives of over half a million warriors and their families. In today's testimony, WWP focused on community-based care, mental health, and long-term care for the most seriously wounded veterans.
"The challenges our warriors face at home are as significant as they have ever been," said Rene Bardorf, WWP Senior Vice President of Government and Community Relations. "We need Congress to ensure these men and women receive the care they earned serving our nation."
Wounded veterans are turning to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for care. In the most recent survey of the veterans WWP serves, nearly 90 percent of warriors rely on VA for health care. WWP supports the Caring for Our Veterans Act, which will fully fund and enhance VA-provided care while also addressing the needs of veterans who need care outside of VA.
WWP wants to see improvements in mental health care access for all warriors. The veterans charity increased efforts in this area by launching Warrior Care Network® nearly three years ago. The network of academic medical centers works with WWP to provide more than 70 hours of clinical mental health care in two- to three-week programs. Other WWP programs focus on coping skills to deal with the invisible wounds of war.
WWP led the charge in legislation to help caregivers and catastrophically wounded veterans. Two bills have led to more than $3 billion in financial assistance, training, and health care coverage. WWP spearheaded efforts to pass the veterans and caregivers health care omnibus bill. The other bill brought about with WWP assistance helped update the Traumatic Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance (TSGLI). It provides immediate payouts in the event of serious injury.
WWP also fought to gain fertility assistance for injured veterans last year. Learn more about WWP Government and Community Relations here.
To learn and see more about how WWP's programs and services connect, serve, and empower wounded warriors, visit our multimedia page.