U.S. Sen. Roy Blunt (R-MO) traveled across Missouri last week to meet with veterans and health care professionals at VA community outpatient clinics, behavioral health facilities, a VFW post and an American Legion Post to learn firsthand about concerns and issues facing the state’s veterans and mental health care providers.
“Our nation’s veterans deserve more choices in the health care and mental health treatment they receive,” Blunt said. “I traveled across Missouri to hear directly from our military heroes and their families as they seek better access to health care and treatment for mental health struggles. I look forward to bringing their concerns and suggestions back with me to Washington and working to ensure our veterans receive the quality care they need and deserve.”
The senator toured Missouri health care facilities all throughout the past month, including hospitals and community health centers and other medical facilities. During those visits, similar to last week’s, Blunt learned more about concerns and issues facing the medical community in Missouri in general, including how many federal regulations make it more difficult for health care providers to do their jobs.
Blunt remains committed to helping America’s military heroes and their families get the best treatment available. He has been involved in numerous legislative issues on the subject, co-sponsoring the Clay Hunt Suicide Prevention for American Veterans Act, which was signed into law in February; the Mental-Health Exposure Military Official Record Act; and a number of other provisions to help bring mental health treatment for U.S. veterans and military dependents in line with the way physical injuries are treated under TRICARE.
Blunt has represented Missouri in the U.S. Senate since 2011. Born in Niangua, Missouri, in 1950, Blunt previously served in the U.S. House from 1997 to 2011. Blunt was educated at Southwest Baptist University and serves on the following committees: Appropriations; Commerce, Science and Transportation; Rules and Administration; and Intelligence.