Veterans

Larsen Improves Health Care Access for Veterans By Helping VA Understand Unique PNW Geography

| Posted in Press Releases
Tags: Veterans

Reforms to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) will work better for Pacific Northwest veterans as a result of efforts by Rep. Rick Larsen, WA-02. Larsen successfully pressed the VA to improve access to care for veterans in Northwest Washington who face geographical barriers because of the region’s unique environment, including veterans living in South and Central Whidbey Island…

Larsen to Hold Roundtable with Local Military and Veterans Groups

| Posted in Press Releases
Tags: Veterans

Larsen will hear feedback about recent commission recommendations on military compensation and retirement benefits Rep. Rick Larsen, WA-02, will moderate a roundtable with General Peter W. Chiarelli, U.S. Army (Ret.) to hear reactions and recommendations from leaders of several local military and veterans groups about a recent report on military compensation. The event will include time…

Larsen Underscores Commitment to Veterans and Members of the Military

| Posted in Press Releases
Tags: Veterans

After meeting with veterans at a series of roundtables and events across the Second District over the last week, Rep. Rick Larsen expressed his ongoing commitment this Veterans Day to ensuring those who have served in the U.S. military are able to get the services and resources they need.  “Over the past week, I have met with dozens of veterans at roundtables and other events…

Larsen to Hold Veterans Roundtable Discussions

| Posted in Press Releases
Tags: Veterans

Rep. Rick Larsen, WA-02, will hold roundtable discussions with veterans next week throughout the Second Congressional District. All veterans are welcome to come to learn about Larsen’s work for veterans in Congress and services for veterans available through his Everett and Bellingham offices. Larsen also wants to hear people’s thoughts and concerns about veterans’…

VA Bill Makes Progress Toward Helping Vets Access Education, Timely Health Care, Larsen says

| Posted in Press Releases
Tags: Veterans

The House of Representatives overwhelmingly approved reforms to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) today with support from Rep. Rick Larsen, WA-02. The bill, H.R. 3230, the Veterans’ Access to Care through Choice, Accountability, and Transparency Act of 2014, is a final compromise between the House and Senate addressing changes to the VA’s practices regarding health care…

Larsen Advocates for Education, Timely Health Care for Veterans

| Posted in Press Releases
Tags: Veterans

Rep. Rick Larsen, WA-02, pushed today to make sure veterans can access the health care and education they need. Larsen is cosponsoring a bill that would fix the long wait times veterans face when seeking care at Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA) doctors’ offices across the country. The Veterans’ Access to Care through Choice, Accountability and Transparency Act of…

VA Policy Fix Moves Forward After Constituent Letter to Larsen

| Posted in Press Releases
Tags: Veterans

A veterans health care issue that an Island County service member asked Rep. Rick Larsen, WA-02, for help changing last year is moving forward in the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). The VA announced it will update the Veterans Affairs Schedule for Rating Disabilities (VASRD) based on current medical standards, with rules set to be finalized by the fall of 2016. Larsen successfully…

Larsen Statement on Shinseki Resignation

| Posted in Press Releases
Tags: Veterans

Rep. Rick Larsen, WA-02, released the following statement regarding the resignation of Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Secretary Eric Shinseki. Shinseki resigned after an interim independent report by the VA Inspector General confirmed that employees at the Phoenix, Ariz. VA Health Care System used inappropriate scheduling practices to hide how long veterans waited to receive…

Larsen: Budget Should Reflect Shared Value of Opportunity for All

| Posted in Press Releases

Rep. Rick Larsen, WA-02, released the following statement today after voting against the Republican budget. “Our country’s budget should reflect our shared value of opportunity for all. This value is nowhere to be found in the Republican spending plan. Rather than a blueprint for economic growth, the Republican budget would jeopardize health care for seniors, bankrupt…

Larsen Votes for Job-Creating Investments in Annual Government Funding Bill

| Posted in Press Releases

Rep. Rick Larsen, WA-02, today voted to approve a government funding bill that includes several job-creating investments for which he has long advocated. The Omnibus Appropriations Act provides funding for all federal agencies through September 2014, in line with a bipartisan budget agreement that Congress passed last month. “My top priority in Congress is to invest in the…