Rural, Minority, and Underserved Veterans need help

Senator Akaka Introduces Bill Requiring VA-Community Partnerships to Reach Rural, Minority, and Underserved Veterans
Apr 07, 2008

April 4, 2008, Washington, DC – U.S. Senator Daniel K. Akaka (D-HI), Chairman of the Veterans’ Affairs Committee, introduced S. 2796 earlier this week, to establish partnerships between the Department of Veterans Affairs and community organizations to connect with underserved veterans. In selecting the community organizations that would partner with VA, priority would be given to those reaching out to rural veterans, minority veterans, and other underserved populations.

“While VA helps countless veterans every day, too many remain out of reach, particularly rural and minority veterans. My bill would help VA do more for these veterans who may feel the system is out of touch,” said Akaka.

Chairman Akaka noted that mental health advocacy organizations, such as Mental Health America, have called attention to the greater need for the type of outreach services authorized by this bill, such as phone hotlines, help with applications for VA benefits, and assistance to transitioning service members and veterans in need of health care. Akaka also noted that in his home state of Hawaii, community organizations such as Helping Hands Hawaii are well positioned to apply for the types of outreach partnerships outlined in S. 2796.
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http://www.veteransforcommonsense.org/ArticleID/9748