IAVA CEO Jeremy Butler and Senator Tester Discussed Veterans’ Access to Healthcare and Programs to Assist Veterans in Need

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
June 3, 2020
CONTACT: press@IAVA.org

New York, NY – Today, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA) held a Facebook Live event featuring IAVA CEO Jeremy Butler and Senator Jon Tester (D-MT), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs.

Veterans have been one of the hardest hit communities during this pandemic. Jeremy Butler and Senator Tester addressed what Congress is doing to protect veterans, as well as highlight resources to help them navigate the VA in times of crisis and beyond, like IAVA’s Quick Reaction Force (QRF).

“Ranking Member Tester is an ally to the veteran community and each day works diligently to support those who have sacrificed so much to protect us,”said Jeremy Butler, CEO of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America. “This pandemic has hit the veteran community especially hard. Since the beginning of the outbreak, the Senator has helped pass much-needed legislation to keep housing allowances and income for veterans and their families when their schools either close or move online. These are important wins for veterans, but more remains to be done. For instance, ending the veteran suicide crisis has always been a top priority for IAVA. We ask Congress to pass the Commander John Scott Hannon Mental Health Care Act to ensure more veterans have access to mental health assistance. To that point, any veteran is in need of assistance, please reach out to IAVA’s free and anonymous consolidated-care program, Quick Reaction Force at 855-91RAPID or online.”

“I appreciate all the work IAVA has been doing on behalf of our nation’s veterans, and for being a strong partner in helping Congress push critical legislation over the finish line—especially during the pandemic,” said Senator Tester. “But our work is far from over. We need to keep pushing VA to do more to reduce the rate of suicides, to be more responsive to the needs of women veterans and to be more proactive in reaching out to vulnerable veterans, especially those living with disabilities, respiratory illnesses, or other health concerns as a result of their military service. And we must continue to hold VA accountable and fight to ensure every veteran has access to the benefits and care they earned in service to our country.”

Founded by an Iraq veteran in 2004, IAVA is the non-partisan leader in advocacy, public awareness and 1-on-1 care management and peer support. We organize locally, drive historic impacts nationally and fight for over 400,000 veterans and their allies nationwide. If a veteran or their family is in need of assistance now, please reach out to IAVA’s Quick Reaction Force at quickreactionforce.org or 1-855-91RAPID (855-917-2743) to be connected promptly with a veteran care manager who will assist you.

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