The Guardians of a Nation: Strengthen Our Military and First Responders and Protect Our Veterans

The Guardians of a Nation: Strengthen Our Military and First Responders and Protect Our Veterans

Defending freedom is simply impossible without the men and women of our military. We owe our service personnel the best training, equipment and support to meet new and growing threats around the world.

We also owe them the best pay, benefits and health care we can possibly afford.

As a candidate for Florida's 13th Congressional District I have spent time with numerous veterans in the region to better understand your needs and concerns. As a Member of Congress I pledge to make these issues a priority during my service in Washington:

· The veterans in Southwest Florida desperately need full service health care facilities. I will work to bring an ambulatory surgery and specialty care clinic providing comprehensive services south of the Sunshine Skyway Bridge.

· Long-term health care is becoming an increasingly crucial issue. Florida has the largest per-capita population of World War II and Korean War veterans, averaging 85 and 71 years of age, respectively. Congress must ensure that the VA receives the necessary funding to meet the mandated levels of long term care services established by the Veteran's Millenium Health Care Act.

· I understand that concurrent receipt of military retired pay and VA disability compensation continues to be a primary concern amongst veterans and I will work, as a Member of Congress, to push for faster phase-in periods.

· Due to the hard work of Congresswoman Harris, the location of the forthcoming Southwest Florida National Veterans Cemetery will be announced shortly. I pledge to continue her work and ensure the federal funding is available so that this national shrine will be established in the Sarasota/Manatee area according to schedule.

· I don't support the Defense Department proposal to increase TRICARE enrollment fees and co-payments.

Our first responders are doing more dangerous work than ever before, and continue to represent our first line of defense here at home. I will work with local police and fire officials to secure the resources they need from the federal government so they have the equipment they need, and the support they deserve, to get the job done.

Out of a sense of decency and gratitude, we should also increase the amount paid to the families of first responders killed while on duty.

http://www.vernbuchananforcongress.com/issues/Issues.aspx?ID=14