I am deeply honored to represent some 112,000 Hawai‘i veterans and their families. This is a responsibility I take very seriously, especially as our veterans ‘ohana is one of the largest percentages of any state in our nation both overall and in key areas like women and minority veterans and delivery of services is often complicated by our unique qualities. As a result, our veterans community sometimes faces unique challenges in Hawai‘i and throughout the Pacific that require targeted advocacy with our federal government and tailored solutions. I am especially able to address these issues and the broader challenges facing all of our country’s veterans as a member of the House Appropriations Committee, which has responsibility for overseeing and funding of all of our federal veterans programs. My focus areas are:
Addressing Hawai‘i Veterans’ Needs Hawaii’s veterans often face unique challenges that others on the mainland don’t have to face. It is my priority to tackle these issues head-on. Below are four examples:
Strengthening Veterans’ Healthcare An efficient and effective veterans' healthcare system is critical to keeping our nation’s promises to our veterans, yet too often veterans do not receive the help they desperately need. To help keep our promises, as a Member of the House Appropriations Committee, for Fiscal Year 2024 I helped draft and pass legislation that provided $337.9 billion in funding for the VA, an increase of $15.1 billion above the prior year’s level. This included increases for mental preventative health and wellness, suicide prevention outreach, gender-specific healthcare, telehealth and opioid abuse prevention. I am also committed to improving the VA Maintaining Internal Systems and Strengthening Integrated Outside Networks (MISSION) Act. While over 30 veteran service organizations supported the program, I am aware that many veterans in Hawai‘i have had difficulties with the transition. As a member of the House Appropriations Committee, I will continue working closely with my colleagues and the VA to ensure the Act’s provisions are designed and implemented with the best interests of our nation’s veterans in mind. 
Assisting with Your Individual Needs One of my most critical responsibilities as your Congressman is to help with your individual needs. Although I cannot mandate a particular result or override the decision of a federal agency, I can often assist with answering questions, finding solutions or simply cutting through red tape to ensure veterans receive the benefits they are entitled to receive. If you or a veteran you know has questions or requires assistance, please do not hesitate to contact my office at https://case.house.gov/forms/casework. PACT Act I voted to help expand access to care for all our veterans exposed to toxic substances in the line of duty through the Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act. With the enactment of this measure, we have held true to our promise to our nation's veterans that we will care for them when they come home. On March 5, 2024, the VA announced an expansion to the PACT Act, expanding eligibility to all veterans who served in the Vietnam War, the Gulf War, Iraq, Afghanistan, the Global War on Terror, or any other combat zone after 9/11. It also expands eligibility to veterans who never deployed but were exposed to toxins or hazards while training or on active duty in the United States. With the enactment of this measure, we have held true to our promise to our nation's veterans that we will care for them when they come home. To apply for PACT Act benefits or learn more about eligibility requirements please click HERE. |
