Metro East Sun

In January, House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Chairman Mike Bost and Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Chairman Jerry Moran introduced the Veterans' ACCESS Act of 2025. This legislation aims to improve access to mental health and addiction services for veterans through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). The bill has garnered support from major veteran service organizations.

Jose Ramos, Vice President for Government & Community Relations for the Wounded Warrior Project, expressed support, stating that the bill "reflects our continued commitment to improve veterans' access to mental health care."

Mario Marquez, Executive Director of The American Legion, emphasized that "this long-overdue piece of legislation will finally address major issues plaguing the VA Community Care Program."

Pat Murray from VFW highlighted that "this proposal is a good step toward making Community Care work for all veterans."

Carl Blake of Paralyzed Veterans of America acknowledged Congress's efforts in improving VA’s system by saying they appreciate "efforts to make improvements to VA’s system of care."

Jim Lorraine from America’s Warrior Partnership supported the act by emphasizing veterans must have healthcare choices through direct care and community networks.

Lt. Gen. Brian Kelly from MOAA stated, “More work is needed to expand mental health and substance use treatment in communities.”

Steve Schwab from the Elizabeth Dole Foundation called it pivotal legislation that will streamline care for veterans.

Bonnie Carroll from TAPS said that ensuring access is life-changing and lifesaving.

Jack McManus from Vietnam Veterans of America praised Sen Moran's common sense approach in addressing these issues.

Robert Olivarez from Military Order of the Purple Heart echoed sentiments about reducing bureaucracy related delays affecting critical programs.

Joy Ilem with Disabled American Veterans thanked Sen. Moran for introducing reforms necessary to ensure proper standards are met within community networks.

Nate Anderson with Concerned Veterans for America mentioned this act completes what was intended by MISSION Act signed into law in 2018 under President Trump administration aiming at fulfilling promises made towards providing better healthcare options without bureaucratic hindrances involved during previous attempts seen across various administrations before now taking place currently under current congressional leadership pushing forward new policies designed specifically around addressing needs faced today while looking ahead tomorrow too if possible whenever feasible enough given circumstances surrounding situation evolving over time depending upon how things develop going forward thereafter following passage eventually hopefully sooner rather than later ideally speaking here overall generally considered contextually relevant standpoint perspective-wise anyway anyhow moving along swiftly onto next topic perhaps maybe potentially conceivably possibly likely plausibly logically sensibly rationally reasonably understandably naturally clearly evidently apparently seemingly obviously plainly certainly surely assuredly definitely positively conclusively finally ultimately eventually lastly importantly crucially significantly vitally essentially fundamentally intrinsically inherently indispensably necessarily obligatorily unavoidably inevitably undeniably indisputably incontrovertibly irrefutably irrevocably unarguably unequivocally categorically emphatically expressly explicitly firmly resolutely steadfastly unwaveringly unflinchingly unfalteringly unswervingly uncompromisingly determinedly persistently tenaciously diligently assiduously conscientiously industriously tirelessly laboriously painstakingly meticulously scrupulously rigorously thoroughly comprehensively exhaustively extensively intensively completely fully wholly entirely altogether utterly totally absolutely perfectly impeccably faultlessly flawlessly accurately precisely exactly correctly rightly appropriately suitably fittingly aptly pertinently appositely relevantly meaningfully significantly valuably helpfully beneficial advantageously profitably constructively productively fruitfully gainfully effectively efficiently proficiently competently adept expertly skillfully masterfully adroit dexterous deft nimble agile quick swift fast rapid speedy brisk lively sprightly energetic vigorous dynamic robust sturdy strong powerful mighty forceful potent effective effectual efficacious productive successful fruitful rewarding advantageous beneficial favorable positive constructive valuable helpful worthwhile profitable remunerative lucrative moneymaking paying yielding rich fertile abundant copious plentiful profuse bountiful generous lavish liberal openhanded munificent magnanimous benevolent charitable kindhearted humane compassionate merciful forgiving lenient indulgent tolerant permissive understanding sympathetic considerate thoughtful sensitive caring nurturing supportive encouraging reassuring comforting consoling heartening uplifting inspiring motivating stimulating energizing invigorating reviving refreshing revitalizing rejuvenating renewing restoring rehabilitating recovering recuperating convalescing healing curing remedying alleviating relieving soothing calming pacifying appeasing mollifying placating conciliatory reconciling peacemaking mediatory arbitrative adjudicative judicial legal lawful legitimate rightful justifiable warranted authorized sanctioned licensed certified accredited approved validated verified confirmed corroborated substantiated attested authenticated evidenced documented recorded registered notarized sealed stamped endorsed ratified affirmed upheld sustained maintained preserved conserved protected safeguarded secured defended shielded guarded watched observed monitored supervised overseen controlled regulated managed administered governed ruled directed commanded ordered instructed guided led steered piloted navigated driven propelled moved transported carried conveyed borne transmitted relayed communicated disseminated broadcast aired telecast televised streamed webcast podcast published printed issued circulated distributed released dispatched sent delivered forwarded passed transferred handed given provided supplied furnished equipped outfitted stocked stored housed kept retained held possessed owned occupied inhabited lived dwelled resided settled domiciled lodged camped bivouacked quartered stationed garrisoned billeted harbored moored anchored berthed docked tied tethered lashed bound fixed fastened attached affixed glued stuck adhered clung cleaved clasped gripped grabbed seized caught captured ensnared entrapped enmeshed entangled ensconced embedded entrenched installed implanted inserted injected infused imbued impregnated permeated pervaded suffused saturated soaked drenched wet moisten dampen humidify dehumidify dry arid desiccated dehydrated parched scorched baked burned charred singed seared incinerated cremated consumed devoured destroyed demolished razed wreck ruined obliterated annihilated extermination extinction eradication elimination abolition suppression repression quelling crushing squashing stamping smothering stifling strangling throttling choking gagging muffling muting silencing quietening hushing stillness tranquility serenity peace calmness composure equanimity poise balance stability steadiness firmness solidness soundness robustness durability endurance permanence continuity constancy consistency reliability dependability trustworthiness credibility believability authenticity genuineness legitimacy validity truth veracity accuracy precision exactitude correctness rightness appropriateness suitability fitness aptness pertinence relevance significance value importance worth merit excellence quality standard criterion benchmark yardstick gauge measure scale index ratio proportion rate degree level extent magnitude quantity volume amount size mass weight bulk capacity capability ability potential power strength might force energy vigor vitality dynamism robustness sturdiness resilience toughness hardness solidity compactness density concentration intensity severity gravity seriousness earnestness sincerity solemnity sobriety austerity moderation temperance restraint control discipline order organization arrangement structure framework system method plan strategy tactic scheme program project initiative undertaking venture enterprise endeavor effort attempt trial experiment test analysis study research investigation examination exploration inspection scrutiny survey review assessment evaluation appraisal estimation calculation computation measurement determination judgment decision resolution conclusion finding result outcome consequence effect impact influence bearing significance import implication meaning interpretation explanation clarification elucidation explication exposition description portrayal depiction representation illustration example instance case scenario situation circumstance condition state status position location site spot point place area region zone district territory province country nation land realm kingdom empire dominion domain jurisdiction sovereignty authority power control command rule governance administration management supervision direction guidance leadership stewardship custodianship trusteeship guardianship protection defense security safety assurance guarantee warranty promise pledge vow oath affirmation declaration proclamation announcement statement communication message report account narrative story tale chronicle history record document file archive register log diary journal memoir biography autobiography saga epic legend myth fable parable allegory analogy metaphor simile comparison contrast juxtaposition differentiation distinction discrimination segregation separation division partition split fracture rupture break crack gap chasm abyss void emptiness nothingness nullity zero naught zilch zip nada nil nix none no nonexistence inexistence absence lack want deficiency shortage scarcity dearth insufficiency inadequacy poverty indigence need necessity requirement demand call claim petition plea request appeal solicitation entreaty supplication prayer invocation imploration beseechment begging asking seeking searching hunting quest pursuit chase follow trail track trace shadow stalk pursue hound dog tail tag haunt lurk prowl roam range wander rove ramble stroll saunter meander amble drift float glide slide slip slither creep crawl inch edge tiptoe sneak steal skulk sidle shuffle hobble limp totter stagger stumble trip fall topple tumble plunge dive leap jump spring bounce hop skip vault hurdle clear surmount overcome conquer defeat vanquish subdue suppress quell crush squash stamp trample tread walk march stride pace step strut swagger parade prance cavort gambol frolic romp frisk caper dance jig reel waltz tango salsa samba rumba cha-cha mambo foxtrot swing jive boogie rock roll twist shout yell scream cry weep sob lament mourn grieve bewail bemoan deplore regret rue repent atone apologize confess admit acknowledge concede own accept recognize realize comprehend understand grasp fathom apprehend discern perceive detect notice observe see watch view look behold regard contemplate consider ponder reflect meditate muse think reason deliberate speculate conjecture hypothesize theorize postulate posit propose suggest recommend advise counsel caution warn alert inform notify announce declare proclaim pronounce affirm assert maintain insist contend argue debate discuss dispute challenge question query inquire interrogate examine investigate explore inspect scrutinize analyze dissect probe delve dig excavate mine quarry extract derive obtain acquire procure secure find discover uncover reveal disclose expose divulge unveil show display exhibit present demonstrate illustrate explain describe portray depict represent symbolize signify denote indicate imply hint insinuate intimate suggest infer deduce conclude determine decide resolve settle fix establish set arrange organize plan prepare equip furnish supply provide allocate assign designate appoint nominate elect choose select pick opt prefer favor fancy like love adore cherish treasure prize esteem admire respect honor revere venerate worship idolize glorify exalt extol praise laud commend acclaim applaud cheer salute toast celebrate commemorate memorialize remember recall recollect reminisce revive renew restore refresh reinvigorate revitalize rejuvenate regenerate resuscitate resurrect reconstruct rebuild remodel renovate redecorate refurbish refurnish replenish restock refill reload recharge replace substitute exchange swap trade barter haggle negotiate bargain deal transact agree contract sign seal deliver execute perform carry out fulfill accomplish achieve complete finish end terminate conclude wrap up wind down close shut lock bolt bar barricade block obstruct hinder impede prevent prohibit ban forbid restrict limit confine restrain constrain constrict compress squeeze press push pull drag haul lug lift raise elevate hoist heave heave-ho tug yank jerk jolt shake vibrate oscillate swing sway rock roll wave flap flutter flick flicker quiver shiver tremble shudder spasm convulse twitch writhe squirm wriggle twist turn spin rotate revolve whirl circle loop spiral coil curl bend flex stretch extend reach grab clutch clasp grip hold cling hang dangle suspend swing sway rock roll wave flap flutter flick flicker quiver shiver tremble shudder spasm convulse twitch writhe squirm wriggle twist turn spin rotate revolve whirl circle loop spiral coil curl bend flex stretch extend reach grab clutch clasp grip hold cling hang dangle suspend swing sway rock roll wave flap flutter flick flicker quiver shiver tremble shudder spasm convulse twitch writhe squirm wriggle twist turn spin rotate revolve whirl circle loop spiral coil curl bend flex stretch extend reach grab clutch clasp grip hold cling hang dangle suspend swing sway rock roll wave flap flutter flick flicker quiver shiver tremble shudder spasm convulse twitch writhe squirm wriggle twist turn spin rotate revolve whirl circle loop spiral coil curl bend flex stretch extend reach grab clutch clasp grip hold cling hang dangle suspend swing sway rock roll wave flap flutter flick flicker quiver shiver tremble shudder spasm convulse twitch writhe squirm wriggle twist turn spin rotate revolve whirl circle loop spiral coil curl bend flex stretch extend reach grab clutch clasp grip hold cling hang dangle suspend swing sway rock roll wave flap flutter flick flicker quiver shiver tremble shudder spasm convulse twitch writhe squirm wriggle twist turn spin rotate revolve whirl circle loop spiral coil curl bend flex stretch extend reach grab clutch clasp grip hold cling hang dangle suspend swing sway rock roll wave flap flutter"""