August 26, 2014

Ranking Member Michaud Statement on President Obama’s Executive Actions for Veterans

Washington D.C. – President Barack Obama announced today a series of executive actions that will strengthen access to timely, high-quality healthcare and services for veterans. The President made the announcement before the American Legion’s 96th National Convention. The President highlighted a series of initiatives and actions today that, in particular, will build capacity within the Department of Veterans Affairs with the launch of a new recruiting campaign for physicians and nurses; increase coordination when service members transition from the DoD to VA – specifically as it relates to mental healthcare services; bolster efforts to address and reduce the number of homeless veterans; and enhance opportunities for veterans to receive vital components of the American Dream – from housing, to education, to reliable employment.

U.S. Rep. Mike Michaud (D-ME), Ranking Member of the Veterans’ Affairs Committee, released the following statement:

“The steps President Obama announced today will continue moving us down the path toward achieving a more responsive Department that is driven, first and foremost, by delivering good healthcare, benefits, and services to each and every veteran in the system. I’m particularly pleased that these initiatives highlight important issues like mental healthcare services and the need to ensure veterans can get a strong education and a good job.

“As I said a few weeks ago when our bipartisan VA bill was signed into law, we are only beginning our journey toward truly reforming the VA and improving outcomes for veterans. Reform is a long-term effort. Steps like the executive actions announced today are important in driving change and keeping the spotlight on this important matter. I look forward to working with Secretary McDonald over the coming weeks and months, as we dig into the real work of reform.”