Steve Ivester on Veterans' Affairs

Horrible wounds coming out of Iraq create new problems.  For example, head trauma from IEDs is just being understood.  There are indications that this type of trauma can lead to early Alzheimer’s much later in life.  When and if this happens, the government cannot deny its responsibility.

A VA clinic in the Tenth District has been planned and promised for decades.  It is time for this project to move forward, and we need to insure that veterans from throughout our district get the services they deserve, here or elsewhere.

After my military service, I used my VA benefits to attend Harvard Business School and earn an MBA.  The VA support did not cover all the costs at that expensive school, but it made the difference in my choice of schools.  By comparison, the veterans of today are getting a watered-down program.

After Vietnam, there were many training opportunities directed specifically for returning veterans.  We do not have that infrastructure today.  Its creation should be encouraged.

• I will fight for the interests of all our Veterans, both in Healthcare and in reintegration/educational benefits.  With our increased ability to save the badly wounded in Iraq, the Healthcare problem will require more, and different, effort than that following any earlier conflict.  We cannot “privatize” this healthcare problem away.

Learn more about issues that concern me: