Senator Hassan Cosponsors Bipartisan Legislation to Strengthen Health Care for World War II and Women Veterans

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Maggie Hassan is cosponsoring two pieces of bipartisan legislation to help connect Word War II and women veterans with the health care services that they need and have earned.

The bipartisan WWII Veterans Hospital and Medical Eligibility Act opens up the Department of Veteran Affairs’ (VA) health care system to all WWII veterans who are not already enrolled. Currently, the VA’s eligibility requirements leave nearly 10,000 World War II veterans without health care benefits such as hospital or nursing home care. 

Senator Hassan also cosponsored the bipartisan Helping Expand and Launch Transitional Health (HEALTH) for Women Veterans Act. This bipartisan bill builds on Senator Hassan’s efforts to support new veterans during their transition to civilian life by extending a pilot program at the VA that informs women veterans who are transitioning out of the service about VA health care benefits and services.

“Access to quality health care has never been more important than right now amid this unprecedented pandemic,” Senator Hassan said. “Both of these bills, taken together, are part of ongoing efforts to expand health care for all veterans. I will continue to work across the aisle to pass legislation to support veterans, service members, and their families.”

Senator Hassan is working to ensure that veterans have access to the support and resources that they need during this challenging time. The Senator cosponsored bipartisan legislation, which is now law, to improve veterans’ access to mental health care in New Hampshire and across the country. Additionally, the Senator is working to stop delays for veterans receiving VA benefits by urging the National Personnel Record Center (NPRC) to speed up the processing of veterans’ records requests. Senator Hassan is also pushing for the VA to strengthen veterans’ access to telehealth programs. Furthermore, the Senator cosponsored bipartisan legislation to help improve the mental wellness of veterans by designating a “Buddy Check Week” once a year to educate veterans on conducting peer wellness checks.

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