Rosen Hosts Roundtable Discussion on Efforts to Improve Health Care Access for Veterans in Reno

Senator Rosen Secured Authorization For A New VA Hospital In Reno And Helped Pass The Bipartisan PACT Act To Expand Health Care Benefits for Toxic-Exposed Veterans

RENO, NV - Yesterday, U.S. Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV) and University of Nevada, Reno President Brian Sandoval held a roundtable with local veterans and representatives from veterans organizations on efforts to improve health care access for veterans in Northern Nevada. Senator Rosen secured authorization to build a new VA hospital in Northern Nevada and she helped pass the bipartisan PACT Act to extend VA benefits and health care to all veterans suffering from illnesses as a result of exposure to burn pits and other toxins. They were joined by the Dean of the UNR School of Medicine, Paul J. Hauptman; representatives from the Veterans Benefits Administration; and local veterans.

"Nevada's veterans deserve the absolute best that our nation can offer, and it's our responsibility to make sure they get the support and benefits they need," said Senator Rosen. "From securing authorization for a new VA hospital in Reno to helping pass the bipartisan PACT Act, I've been working across the aisle in the U.S. Senate to improve access to health care services for those who bravely served our nation. I'm grateful to everyone who joined our roundtable for sharing their perspectives, and I'll keep working with our community to ensure Nevada veterans get the resources they need."

"I would like to thank Sen. Jacky Rosen for her tireless efforts to secure a new Veterans' Administration medical facility in Reno. A new VA medical facility in northern Nevada is a significant step forward in meeting and enhancing the health of our Veterans," said University of Nevada, Reno President Brian Sandoval. "This facility will make Nevada a leader in providing world-class health care to our Veterans, while also delivering education and training programs for a new generation of healthcare professionals. The very best academic institutions and medical schools in the country are affiliated in some form with the VA. This would provide the University and the greater northern Nevada community with the opportunity for incredible synergies in treatment, programming, medical education and research, and community engagement. It's a game-changer for our community."

"The building of a new VA hospital and clinics on the campus of the University of Nevada, Reno will be transformative and allow for expanded clinical and scientific collaborations," said Paul Hauptman, Dean of the University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine. "These will positively impact the University and its trainees in medicine, nursing, social work and public health, but most of all the health and welfare of Nevada's veterans, taking us one big step closer to fulfilling our vision of A Healthy Nevada."

Senator Rosen has been a leader in support of our nation's veterans. Earlier this year, she helped introduce bipartisan legislation to officially authorize the construction of a new veterans hospital in Reno, which she also successfully pushed the president to include in his 2024 budget request. Senator Rosen also introduced bipartisan legislation to permanently maintain a helpline for veterans to obtain information and assistance with all services from the VA. In the recent bipartisan government funding package, Senator Rosen secured funding to increase access to affordable housing for veterans, continue building Nevada's first national veterans cemetery in Elko, and increase funding for veteran's access to telehealth.

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