Metro East Sun

Today, Congresswoman Mariannette Miller-Meeks, Chairwoman of the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee on Health, addressed the committee during an oversight hearing focused on the Department of Veterans Affairs' (VA) role in managing state veterans’ homes. The hearing aimed to explore improvements in care for aging veterans.

In her opening remarks, Dr. Miller-Meeks emphasized the challenges faced by veterans as they age and the increasing demand for long-term care, particularly for those who served during the Vietnam and Cold War eras. "Every veteran deserves independence and dignity with age," she stated. Addressing veteran suicide, she mentioned a recent tragedy involving a 77-year-old veteran and acknowledged the issue of older veterans being an "invisible population."

State veterans homes, which receive considerable funding from the VA, were highlighted as a critical resource in supporting aging veterans. Dr. Miller-Meeks stressed the importance of ensuring these homes meet their potential in providing adequate care, citing a preventable tragedy at a Massachusetts veterans home during the COVID-19 pandemic as an example of shortcomings.

She introduced a bill aimed at reimbursing state veterans homes for medication costs, particularly for high-cost medications that significantly impact veterans' quality of life. Dr. Miller-Meeks expressed a willingness to work with the VA to ensure funds are allocated appropriately, stating, "We must make sure V.A. allocates these funds to the right resources."

Dr. Miller-Meeks concluded her remarks by emphasizing the importance of quality long-term care for older veterans and calling for their needs to be prioritized in veteran healthcare discussions.