Providing Greater VA Home Access for Gold Star Parents
After hearing concerns from veterans across Nevada, Senator John Ensign introduced common-sense legislation this week to care for Gold Star parents. Ensign is joined by Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) in offering this legislation that will allow access to VA Nursing Homes to parents who have lost a child in service to our country.
“Giving your life for your country is the greatest sacrifice you can make,” said Ensign. “These men and women do so with the hope that their families will be cared for by their country.”
Currently, Gold Star parents may receive care in a VA home only if they have lost all of their children in service to our country. This matter was brought to Senator Ensign’s attention by the Nevada Office of Veterans’ Services and the National Association of State Veterans’ Homes because they are currently in a situation where they must deny admission to Gold Star parents if they have any surviving children.
“It simply doesn’t make sense to stipulate that parents must lose all of their children in service to their country before they are eligible to receive care in a VA home,” said Ensign. “Losing a child to war is a stunning and life altering event, which is why I am pushing for this bipartisan legislation to become law in the coming weeks.”
Senator Ensign and Senator Brown’s legislation would change this stipulation to permit entry into a VA Nursing Home to any parent who has lost a son or daughter fighting to protect our freedoms. The Senate is currently considering the National Defense Authorization Act and Ensign is working across the aisle to have this plan added to this bill.
The Nevada State Veterans’ Home in Boulder City, Nevada, was recently recognized by U.S. News and World Report as a 5-star facility, making it the top rated nursing home in the state of Nevada.
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Week of July 20 -24:
Working for Our Veterans
This week, I continued to work across party lines to ensure that our veterans are well cared for by the country they chose to defend. My amendment to ensure that Gold Star parents are not forced to lose all their children before they can be cared for by VA Homes, as was the previous requirement, passed the Senate late Thursday night. Under my plan, a parent losing one child in service to our country is eligible for VA nursing home care. Additionally, my bill to make service dog programs more affordable to soldiers, sailors, airmen, and Marines in need of care also passed the Senate this week. It is so important that we ensure that our servicemen and –women who return from conflict have the comfort needed to safely transition back into civilian life, and service dogs are tremendously effective at helping to do this.
Protecting the Second Amendment
I supported a measure this week that would have protected your Second Amendment rights. Unfortunately, the Senate voted down the bill. It would have allowed law abiding citizens to exercise their fundamental right to self-defense by letting those with concealed carry privileges in their home states to have their permits honored in other states that support concealed carry. While the amendment would have respected state laws, the amendment narrowly missed the 60 votes needed to pass.
Still No Plans for Guantanamo Bay Detainees
Six months ago, President Obama signed an executive order mandating the closure of Guantanamo Bay. Six months later and the Administration has yet to present a plan to Congress that would detail where the detainees housed in Cuba would be sent. The Administration is moving forward with a deadline without any future plans for the terrorists that reside within the secured walls of Gitmo. The irresponsibility of the closure plan is supported by the fact that the Administration seems to have no idea what to do with the terrorists that threaten the safety of American citizens. Short of hearing a better plan, I believe Gitmo has the best resources and facilities and provides adequate isolation and protection from the American people.
Ensign Meets With Inspiring Nevada Students
This week, I had the chance to practice my tennis game with some exceptional children. The National Junior Tennis League East Coast Leadership Tour took 13 children to eight cities in three weeks. During this time, they were exposed to a variety of leadership building opportunities and the chance to play tennis on some of the most prestigious courts in the country. In order to qualify for the trip, these students had to exhibit excellence both in the classroom and on the tennis court. Qualifications included maintaining a minimum 3.7 grade point average, being ranked top 40 in the United States Tennis Association (USTA)-Intermountain 6 State region, and receiving the USTA-Nevada Academic-Athletic Leadership Award. It was wonderful to play tennis with these children and to commend them on their academic success.
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Week of July 27 - 31:
Health Care Reform
Over the last couple of weeks, I have held numerous telephone town hall meetings with Nevadans in both the north and south of our state. From these calls, it is clear to me that the American people are extremely wary of the healthcare reform proposals coming from the other side of the aisle. Back in Washington, D.C., healthcare reform is turning into quite the partisan battle, but both sides do agree that our health care system is in need of reform. The time has come to set aside party differences and to put a reform plan in action that will benefit all Americans.
As a Republican leader on health care, I am hopeful that we can put forth a bipartisan plan that will cover those who need health insurance, without hurting those who are already covered with a government takeover. My vision for health care is just that; reforming the system, not creating a new government-run program that will end up hurting millions of Americans and their choice in health insurance.
Health care is a very personal issue for Americans, and choice in their coverage should play a vital role in a healthcare bill. Further, Americans should be incentivized to lead a healthy lifestyle. Weight management, preventive care, and smoking cessation should be reflected in lower insurance rates. Medical costs and errors could be greatly decreased through electronic medical records and medical liability reform.
With these cornerstones, I am working with my colleagues to develop a healthcare reform bill that will improve health care in America, won’t increase the deficit, and will continue to put patients and their doctors first – not government bureaucrats. With this in mind, I will continue to work hard for you in the United States Senate.
Receiving Medal of Merit Award
This week, I met with Brigadier General William Burks, the new Adjutant General of the Nevada National Guard. At this meeting, I was presented with a prestigious award, the Medal of Merit, in recognition of my legislative accomplishments on behalf of the National Guard Association. As this was my first meeting with General Burks, we discussed the importance of maintaining an open dialogue to ensure that our Nevada National Guard has what it needs to continue to defend and protect our freedoms.
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