Senator Barbara Mikulski :: On The Issues

Keeping Our Promises to America's Veterans and Military Retirees

"We have a sacred trust with the veterans who risked their lives so that we may live in freedom. Part of that sacred trust is making sure we provide our veterans with the services and support they need."
-Senator Barbara A. Mikulski

As a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Senator Mikulski is committed to supporting our veterans and military retirees.

Keeping Medical Care Accessible and Affordable

Senator Mikulski is fighting to make sure veterans have access to affordable health care:

Fought to provide the largest funding increase ever for the Department of Veterans' Affairs (VA) and continues to fight so that the VA has the resources it needs.
Works to prevent veterans from being forced to pay increased fees for health care and increased co-pays for prescription drugs.
Fights to stop any changes in eligibility requirements for VA, community and state-run long-term care.

Fighting for Compassionate, Competent Health Care

Senator Mikulski is working for a competent veterans' health care system:

Fights to increase funding for veterans' medical and prosthetic research.
Advocates for long-term and geriatric care programs to help the VA prepare for its aging population.
Championed the establishment of Centers of Excellence to better address Prosthetics Research, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), and Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) to handle the needs of returning veterans.

Guaranteeing Better Service and Benefits

Senator Mikulski continues to advocate for improved veterans services and benefits:

Fights to increase funding to reduce waiting times at VA facilities and to cut the backlog of veterans' benefits claims.
Champions increasing burial benefits and ensuring that all veterans have a proper honor guard at their funerals.
Advocates extending health care eligibility after discharge from service from two to five years.
Led the fight to pass legislation prohibiting veterans convicted of a federal or state capital offense from receiving burial benefits and funeral honors.

Fighting for Military Retiree Benefits

Senator Mikulski is working to improve benefits for retirees:

Advocates for concurrent receipt, which would allow all military retirees who were injured on active duty to receive their full retirement and disability benefits.
Fights against proposed increases in TRICARE fees and pharmacy co-pays.
Working to repeal the requirement to offset Survivor Benefit Plan benefits with Dependency and Indemnity Compensation.

Enhancing Quality of Life for Veterans in Maryland

Senator Mikulski is fighting to improve veterans' facilities:

Fighting for a replacement nursing facility at the Perry Point Veterans' Medical Center.
Championed the creation of an affordable continuum of care retirement community for veterans at Fort Howard.
Advocated for new community VA clinics at Andrews Air Force Base and Ft. Detrick.
Works to ensure that Maryland's veterans can get convenient care by securing funds for community VA clinics in Cumberland, Hagerstown, Fort Howard, Loch Raven, Glen Burnie, Greenbelt, Charlotte Hall, Cambridge and Pocomoke City.