Operation Advocacy April 2025

Veterans’ Assuring Critical Care Expansions to Support Servicemembers (ACCESS) Act (S.275, H.R. 740)

The Veterans’ ACCESS Act, introduced by the U.S. House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Chairman Mike Bost (R-IL-12) and U.S. Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Chairman Jerry Moran (R-KS), aims to improve veterans’ access to VA’s Residential Rehabilitation Treatment Programs (RRTPs), and mandates improvements in their operations, coordination, and oversight.

VA has set access standards into law for most of its health care programs, but these standards do not extend to RRTPs! This exclusion means that veterans with chronic problems related to post-traumatic stress disorder, substance abuse, or both, can’t always get timely access to the critical care they need.

Most importantly, the Veterans’ ACCESS Act will require VA to establish a standardized screening process to determine if a veteran meets the criteria for priority or routine admission to a mental health RRTP. VA would have to screen patients within 48 hours and, if eligible and appropriate, admit that veteran to an RRTP program within 48 hours of the decision.

Take Action Today

WWP has already crafted a call to action around the Veterans ACCESS Act, and we encourage all warriors to send an email to their members of Congress encouraging support of the legislation. It only takes a minute — send our pre-written letter.

2025 Veterans Benefits Guide

Earlier this year, VA released the 2025 Federal Benefits Guide for Veterans, Dependents, Survivors, and Caregivers. The handbook includes a detailed list of VA programs, including contact information and websites for easy reference.

If you haven’t applied for VA benefits, care, or services, this guide offers a comprehensive overview to help you access everything you’ve earned.

The handbook allows you to easily reference a full listing of VA programs, along with contact phone numbers and websites for each. Below is some of the information included in the benefits guide:

• Compensation
• Life insurance
• Pension and fiduciary services
• Education benefits
• Economic development and employment
• Home loan guaranty programs and housing assistance
• Mental health resources

The benefits guide is available in both print and digital formats. You can instantly access the guide on VA’s website.

Please note that VA validated the information in the guide as of Oct. 10, 2024. For the most up-to-date information, visit VA’s website or use the specific links provided in the guide.

WWP Key Legislative Priorities

At the beginning of every Congress, WWP analyzes the Congressional landscape, compiles various input and comments from WWP warriors, and develops its legislative priorities — the key issues and bills that we will be pushing for in the next two years.

The legislative priorities for the 119th Congressional session are based on our commitment to enacting policies that enhance the lives of veterans, Service members, and their families while building on our significant wins achieved in the previous session.

The seven priorities will form the foundation of our legislative and advocacy work during 2025 and 2026. Nearly all the legislation that we will advocate for will fall into one of these seven priorities.

Below is an overview of the legislative priorities for the 119th Congress. You can download a PDF of this information to keep for future reference.

1. Mental Health and Suicide Prevention

• Community coordination and training: Advocate for funding and alignment of new and ongoing efforts like the VA’s Staff Sergeant Parker Gordon Fox Suicide Prevention Grant Program, the Governor’s and Mayor’s Challenges to Prevent Suicide, and Mission Daybreak, to ensure a robust public health approach.
• Access to care and workforce improvements: Pursue policies that help place veterans into high-quality care with minimal wait times and optimal continuity between providers and health systems.
• Substance use disorder, chronic pain, and emerging treatments: Highlight key intersections in health care and innovation that offer opportunities to deliver effective mental health care interventions.

2. Brain Health and TBI

• Prevention, tracking, and treatment: Promote policies across the lifespan of military service to ensure brain health and safety among the Active duty and veteran populations.
• Research: Commit to research that explores the course of neurological and cognitive functioning after TBI, and build evidence to help expand access to effective treatments and community-based supports.
• Long-term care: Support policies to promote the utilization and success of VA’s long-term care programs for younger veterans, including those who have suffered TBIs in service.

3. Women Veterans

• Gender-specific care: Pass legislation that would expand access to gender-specific services at VA and through Community Care Network providers, as well as empower women veterans in decision-making processes related to health care.
• Financial wellness: Promote policies to assist with employment, financial obligations, food security, housing stability, and child care.
• Cancer: Improve screening, eligibility, care, and outreach, with specific effort on mammography, as well as surveillance services for breast, cervical, ovarian, endometrial/uterine, or other gynecological cancers.

4. Economic Empowerment

• Major Richard Star Act: In 2004, Congress passed a law allowing military retirees with at least 20 years of service, who are rated at least 50 percent disabled, to collect their full Department of Defense (DoD) retired pay and their full VA disability compensation benefits with no offset. The Major Richard Star Act would allow veterans who were retired for combat-related injuries with under 20 years of service to do the same.
• Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E): Pass legislation that would allow VR&E to operate at its highest potential and expand access to more disabled veterans. These improvements should include veteran-friendly policies for when the program can be used, transparency about eligibility determinations, and more consistent training for VR&E counselors.
• Employment: Create opportunities throughout the federal government to help place veterans in positions that leverage skills and experience developed in the military.

5. Transition Support

• Promote healthy transitions: Advance policies to support warriors while they are still in the military and at or near their transition point to prepare them for the changes they will face when trying to adjust to civilian life. Help coordinate efforts across VA, DoD, and the community to ensure that the process is seamless across all critical areas related to health care, benefits, and career readiness.

6. Toxic Exposure

• Cancer: Promote policies that enhance the DoD’s capacity to track and monitor the exposure of Service members in high-risk communities, while ensuring that VA is sufficiently staffed and resourced to deliver the highest standard of cancer care to every exposed veteran, including early detection through exposure-informed screening, treatment, and coordinated care.
• Access to care: Many military exposures are recorded in DoD’s Individual Longitudinal Exposure Record (ILER) system, which helps qualify veterans for care under the PACT Act. However, some exposures are not tracked, or the information is not transmitted to VA, leaving Service members and veterans without access to necessary care. Efforts focused on missileers, aviators, and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have the potential to close gaps that remain.
• Presumptive decision-making process: Continue to work with VA and Congress to ensure that VA’s presumptive decision-making process established by the PACT Act has the capacity and resources to reach timely decisions on conditions that may be exposure-related. Continue to encourage VA to consider burn-pit-related conditions outside of cancers and respiratory conditions, as well as conditions that may be related to exposures not explicitly covered by the PACT Act, both known and emerging.

7. Severely Wounded Service Members and Veterans

• Complex case management: While the number of Service members catastrophically injured in service has decreased in recent years, the needs of severely injured Service members and veterans — including those challenged by comorbid disabilities — have not diminished over time, and will, in many cases, grow. Support policies to help these individuals navigate the health system and promote a broad community effort to address overlapping resources and nonuniform availability of federal, state, and local resources.
• Prosthetics and adaptive devices: Ensure that veterans receive timely access to prosthetics and adaptive equipment, invest in cutting-edge prosthetics and assistive technologies for amputees, and foster continuous improvements to enhance VA prosthetic care to help veterans regain functionality, reintegrate into their communities more efficiently, and ultimately improve their quality of life.
• Caregivers: Advocate for caregivers providing assistance to those with the highest needs, including support for efforts related to the Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers and planning for retirement or life after caregiving.

2025 Operation Advocacy Fly-In

During the week of March 3, nearly 100 WWP warriors from across the country gathered in Washington, DC, to participate in the 2025 Operation Advocacy Fly-In. This annual grassroots initiative connects warriors with their elected officials, allowing them to advocate for legislation that improves the quality of life for all veterans.

Over two days, warriors met with more than 150 congressional offices to discuss WWP’s top legislative priorities focusing on economic empowerment, expanded mental health access, and increased research and care for brain health and TBI.

Congressional Meetings and Training

The fly-in provides warriors with a powerful platform to share their personal stories and highlight the real-life impact of the legislation they advocate for. Prior to meeting with members of Congress, the warriors participated in advocacy training to prepare them for their visits.

Each warrior group was assigned based on geography and led by one or more of WWP’s Warrior Advocate Leaders (WALs), volunteers who lead our legislative advocacy efforts at the local level. WALs not only engage with members of Congress, their staffs, and other government officials to support legislation, but they also work with WWP's grassroots team to recruit, train, mobilize, and lead other volunteer advocates in their local communities.

A key part of the training was teaching warriors to talk about their personal journeys and challenges, and connect their stories to the legislation they were going to advocate for with members of Congress.

“In advocacy, people remember stories,” said WAL Amy Fiene from Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin. “Meetings become memorable, and members and staff listen closer when we share something vulnerable that directly connects WWP’s mission and our stories with the work of those Congressional offices.”

For many warriors in attendance, it was their first time experiencing the fly-in. “I am grateful to be chosen for the opportunity,” said warrior Robert Weatherspoon from Muskegon, Michigan. “Honestly, it was unexpected how engaged congressional members and staff were listening to our stories.”

Networking and Community

In addition to meeting with members of Congress, the fly-in was an opportunity to network and develop new connections within the warrior community.

During the event, warriors heard from U.S. Army Lieutenant General Brian Eifler, Deputy Chief of Staff for Personnel of the United States Army, and Major General Trevor J. Bredenkamp, Commanding General of the Joint Task Force-National Capital Region and the U.S. Army Military District of Washington, who both discussed the importance of advocacy and telling your personal story.

In a surprise highlight, warriors also witnessed the promotion ceremony of fellow warrior and U.S. Air Force Captain Tyshawn Jenkins (Jackson, New Jersey) conducted by WWP CEO Lieutenant General (Ret.) Walt Piatt and LTG Eifler.

Service Doesn’t Stop

Warriors understand that grassroots advocacy work does not stop when they return home. “I am active in my local community,” said WAL John Mikelson from Columbus Junction, Ohio. “I remain in regular communication with my fellow Midwestern warriors who are also working to push forward important legislation. We use one collective voice to impact positive change at the local and national levels.”

WALs will follow up on their Capitol Hill meetings with thank-you messages reminding members of Congress about WWP’s key legislative priorities.

"We held a record number of meetings this year, and it’s very exciting to see how our WALs are taking the lead during congressional meetings,” said WWP Vice President of Government and Community Relations Jose Ramos. “When we first started the fly-ins, WWP staff would lead the meetings. Now, WALs and warriors are driving the meetings, and that’s leading to some very powerful and authentic moments that resonate with members of Congress. Advocacy is an important part of WWP’s mission, and we have a lot of influence with Congress when warriors participate in events like the Operation Advocacy Fly-In.”

Thank You to the Warriors Who Participated in the 2025 Operation Advocacy Fly-In:

Senator Angus King – WWP Legislator of the Year

Sen. Angus King (I-ME) serves on the U.S. Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, advocating for veterans’ physical and mental health, access to benefits, and support for their families and caregivers. He also serves on the U.S. Senate Committee on Armed Services where he supports the needs of active Service men and women.

The Senator was kind enough to take time to talk with WWP about his commitment to veterans, legislation he’s proud to have supported, and other key proposals he is focused on as he continues to advocate on behalf of veterans.

Why are you so committed to veterans’ issues?

In Maine, we are fortunate to be home to one of the highest populations of veterans per capita in the country. In my opinion, every member of Congress owes it to our veterans to put partisanship aside and deliver the support they have earned and deserve. Serving on the U.S. Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs has allowed me to really focus on our shared mission: serving those who served. From passing the PACT Act to working to prevent veteran suicide to addressing unseen wounds like those associated with brain injuries, we have made many strides. However, there is still much work to do, and I am eager to continue working with my colleagues to deliver results for our veterans in the 119th Congress.

What veterans’ legislation or issue are you most concerned about and/or focused on right now?

One of my biggest priorities has been — and will continue to be — the transition from military life to civilian life. We should be putting as much effort and resources into ensuring our veterans have as smooth a transition out of the military as they did when they entered into the military. I’ve been working alongside my colleagues to ensure our Service members are supported on day one as veterans.

The TAP Promotion Act will allow accredited veteran service organizations to attend Transition Assistance Program (TAP) classes, which is important because that will allow transitioning Service members to get a jumpstart on filing their benefits paperwork before they even leave the military. The Welcome Home Veterans Act will allow transitioning Service members’ information to automatically be sent to state veterans’ affairs agencies, unless they opt out so that the state can connect with the transitioning Service member and welcome them during their transition to civilian life, as well as connect them with any state or local veterans benefits that might be available. Both bills will help ease the transition from Active duty to veteran status, and I am grateful to my colleagues for their continued support and work on behalf of all our veterans.

Another important issue, especially in Maine, given our aging veteran population, is adequate long-term care. I was pleased that the VA recently finalized the domiciliary care rule that will provide back payment to state veterans’ homes — including those in Maine — for care provided to veterans. These payments will ensure state veterans' homes can continue to operate and serve veterans across our state, which will become even more important as our population continues to age and faces more complex health care needs.

Beyond the PACT Act, what veterans’ legislation or issue are you most proud to have worked on and seen passed or enacted into law?

This year, we successfully secured many provisions of my bipartisan Blast Overpressure Safety Act in the Fiscal Year 2025 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) to protect Service members and veterans from blast exposure and prevent brain injuries experienced during training and service. These “invisible wounds” are a common, yet misunderstood and often undetectable, injury that can severely impact health and quality of life. The Blast Overpressure Safety Act is a bipartisan bill that would expand research into brain injuries and make critical care more accessible. Last year, in just three months, the DoD provided TBI treatment nearly 50,000 times, and the injury is now considered the “signature wound” of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. This commonsense bill is long overdue, and we cannot wait any longer to address this important issue. We owe it not only to those who serve, but also to their families and communities, to take the necessary steps to curb this preventable injury.

We know that large blasts can have a significant impact on mental and physical health, but we also need to make sure we’re focusing on the harmful effects of smaller blasts that can accumulate over time. Sen. Jerry Moran (R-KS), who also serves on the U.S. Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, and I teamed up to introduce the bipartisan Precision Brain Health Research Act. This bill would direct VA to create a 10-year research plan to establish the effects of repetitive low-level blast injuries. That data will then be used to develop care and treatment plans, and, in Congress, we will use that information to create new legislation to help veterans who suffer from the effects of repetitive blast exposures.

What does receiving the Legislator of the Year award from WWP mean to you?

We really don’t think about it, but when our veterans signed up for the military, they were putting their lives on the line for us and this country. Their service is inspiring, and these brave men and women deserve the very best treatment long after they hang up their uniforms. It has been a privilege to serve on the U.S. Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, and I am deeply humbled to have been named WWP Legislator of the Year — it is one of the greatest honors of my public life. I know the work does not stop here, and I will work with anyone in Congress on behalf of our veterans.

What message do you have for veterans across the country about Congress and getting involved in grassroots advocacy?

I am proud to serve on the U.S. Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs because it is one of the most bipartisan committees in Congress. If you were to attend a hearing and you didn’t know who served in which party, you would have a hard time distinguishing the Democratic members from the Republican members. That is a good thing — serving our veterans should never be a partisan issue. I enjoy working with my colleagues on the committee, who are all driven by the same mission: to serve the veteran community. I also want to encourage veterans to reach out to their elected officials and be engaged with the democratic process. If we don’t know about a problem, then we can’t work at solving it. My staff and I are always happy to speak with veterans and help ensure they have full access to the support and care they deserve — or to simply learn about the issues that matter most to them.

You've focused a lot on transition and how it's such a critical time for veterans. What are some of your other key proposals that would help veterans during this time?

Unfortunately, veterans are most vulnerable to increased suicide risks during the first few months of their transition out of the military. To help mitigate this, I have introduced the Lethal Means Safe Storage for Veteran Suicide Prevention Act, which would require additional training for VA and community care providers so that these providers are comfortable having conversations with their patients about access to lethal means — including firearms and medication — and how to keep themselves safe. The bill would also establish a grant program to provide free gun safes or firearm lock boxes to any veteran who wants one — putting valuable space and time between lethal means and potential thoughts of self-harm. The bill prohibits the collection of any veteran’s personal information when they get this free gun storage, and the veteran won’t be asked about their gun ownership status — they only need to confirm their veteran status.

I am also continuing to work on the Combat Veteran Pre-Enrollment Act, which would automatically enroll certain combat veterans in VA health care, smoothing the process for them to access VA care after they transition out of the service. This would ensure that gaining access to earned health care benefits is available to Service members from day one as a veteran, instead of having to wait months for paperwork and red tape to be cleared.

WWP Honors Congressional Staff and Administration

The work WWP does on behalf of warriors could not happen without the support of our friends and allies in Congress. Each year, we are fortunate to work with dedicated public servants focused on advancing policies and legislation that improve the lives of veterans, their families, and caregivers.

At its annual holiday reception, WWP came together with friends from across the veteran community to recognize and thank congressional staff and Administration officials for their selfless service and work throughout the year. While many individuals deserve recognition for their contributions, this year WWP was proud to honor the following outstanding recipients:

Jen Burch: As a professional staff member for the U.S. House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, and a retired U.S. Air Force veteran, Jen played a crucial role in supporting the Health Subcommittee’s efforts. Her dedication to legislation across all aspects of VA health care reflects her commitment to serving veterans and deepening her understanding of the challenges faced by the 7.3 million veterans relying on VA care. During the 118th Congress, she coordinated several key hearings on care coordination, prosthetics, and caregivers — issues critical to our mission. Jen has since moved on to become the Deputy Chief of Staff for the Secretary of Veterans Affairs.

Kristen Meyer: As a U.S. Air Force Congressional Defense Fellow for Rep. Chrissy Houlahan (D-PA-06), Kristen made a tremendous impact during her year on Capitol Hill. As an aide to Rep. Houlahan, she facilitated caucus and community stakeholder discussions to better understand and address the needs of Service members. She also played a key role in turning ideas into action by supporting the introduction of the Servicewomen and Veterans Menopause Research Act.

David Sherman: As the Minority Staff Director for the U.S. Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, David played a pivotal role in advancing important initiatives aimed at improving the care and services provided to veterans. He helped coordinate Sen. Jerry Moran’s (R-KS) sponsorship of key legislation, such as the Senator Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act (“Dole Act”) (Pub. L. 118–210), and Coordinating Care for Senior Veterans and Wounded Warriors Act, both of which were top WWP priorities and focus on improving access and quality of care for veterans and their families. His passion for improving the quality of care for veterans is greatly appreciated.

Carlos Fuentes: As the Senior Policy Advisor for the U.S. Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, Carlos demonstrated his commitment to veterans through his tireless efforts of championing the causes that were most closely related to the post-9/11 veteran community. As the primary staffer supporting Chairman Jon Tester (D-MT), he worked across the aisle to garner support for important legislation such as, the Major Richard Star Act, the Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics Act (PACT Act) of 2022 (Pub. L. 117–168), and other veteran-focused legislative priorities.

David Nokes: As a Public Affairs Specialist for the Office of the Secretary of Defense, David exemplified the qualities of a dedicated civil servant. His strong work ethic, leadership, and integrity earned him the trust of peers, leaders, and the veteran community. He utilized a collaborative approach to his work, always fostering an environment of teamwork and respect while keeping those we serve and the mission front of mind.

WWP was also proud to award former Chairman of the U.S. Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Jon Tester with the Congressional Lifetime Achievement Award. We recognized Sen. Tester for all the work he has done to champion the rights and needs of veterans. We appreciate his efforts and commitment, and for being a trusted ally during his time in Congress.

WWP congratulates all of our honorees and thanks them for the work they have done to support warriors and the veteran community.

Warrior Survey Results Released

On February 26, WWP released the latest results of the Warrior Survey, representing the more than 185,000 registered warriors we serve. The data provides a 360-degree view of WWP warriors and highlights the challenges they face, including sleep quality, financial instability, PTSD, and loneliness. Significant findings from this year’s survey report include:

• 83% of warriors reported sleep problems, continuing to be the highest reported health issue among warriors.
• 37% of warriors reported not making enough money relative to their skill level, noting difficulty translating military skills to the civilian workforce.
• 52% of warriors have moderate to severe symptoms of PTSD, which directly impacts a warrior’s daily functioning and quality of life.
• 79% of warriors reported feeling isolated sometimes or often.

WWP CEO Lt. Gen. (Ret.) Walt Piatt discussed the survey findings and the state of veterans across the U.S. and provided insight into WWP’s legislative priorities during his testimony to the House and Senate Committees on Veterans Affairs on February 26.  

As the largest survey of wounded, ill, and injured post-9/11 veterans, the findings call on leaders with the power to create change — such as Congress, VA, and other veteran service organizations—to consider our recommendations. We share them to advocate for wounded warriors and ensure their voices are heard, enhancing their overall quality of life.

• Advance policies to improve access to mental health resources and reduce barriers to care.
• Enhance care and treatment for co-occurring conditions.
• Enhance and expand suicide prevention training for both the veteran community and the broader public.
• Expand opportunities for veterans to connect within the veteran community and with the broader public.
• Enhance financial wellness and employment opportunities for veterans.

View and download the complete survey and findings.