Healthcare workers have long been regarded as some of our nation’s most crucial and courageous servants. During this unique time of challenges and uncertainty, this has never been truer. Each day, our healthcare professionals make tireless sacrifices to serve and protect our country, even when it means risking their lives to care for others.

One such healthcare hero is Vickie Robbins. She has been a registered nurse since 1986 and for the last two years she’s worked at Baptist Health-Hot Spring County. Despite the difficulties she and her colleagues in the medical profession face during this public health emergency, Vickie is stepping up to the challenge. She has volunteered to work extra hours, offered to operate the drive-thru screening and voluntarily treated COVID-19 patients. 

I was honored to personally thank Vickie and other frontline workers for the critical care they are providing during recent visits to medical facilities across Arkansas. Their work has become more difficult, and we are grateful for all they do.

Dr. Deborah Birx, the White House’s coronavirus response director, joined Governor Asa Hutchinson and other state leaders in Little Rock this week to discuss Arkansas's response to COVID-19. Dr. Birx said Arkansas is on the right track and encouraged citizens to make good judgements and continue frequent handwashing, social distancing and wearing a mask to protect ourselves, our families and our communities.

We must remember that, like our valued healthcare workers, we too play an important role in fighting the virus. By following the guidance and recommendations laid out by our public health officials, we can help our medical heroes, and make a positive impact to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

• Paving a New Path Forward in Veteran Suicide Prevention: The Senate took an important step to reassure America’s veterans that their best days are ahead of them. Passage of the Commander John Scott Hannon Veterans Mental Health Care Improvement Act, a comprehensive veterans mental health bill, includes a new strategy I proposed to create a VA grant program that leverages veteran-serving non-profits and other community networks in order to reduce veteran suicides.
  
  
• Improving Benefits for Women Veterans: The Senate VA Committee recently  advanced the Deborah Sampson Act, legislation Senator Jon Tester (D-MT) and I introduced to eliminate barriers to care and services that many women veterans face and help ensure the VA can address the needs of women veterans who are more likely to face homelessness, unemployment and go without needed health care. I encourage my colleagues to support this legislation so we can ensure the VA is more accommodating to the unique challenges facing these brave former service members.
  
  
• Helping Arkansans: My staff and I prioritize helping Arkansans. The last few months put our skills to the test as we worked through issues in a very different government landscape. We’re finding new ways to solve problems. If you’ve run into roadblocks getting answers to your questions involving the federal government, we’re here to help. 

• Pushing for a National Designation of the Butterfield Overland Trail: The Butterfield Overland Trail is an important part of our state’s history and the story of our nation’s expansion. Much of the trail traveled through portions of Arkansas. To recognize its historic nature, I recently introduced legislation to designate it as a National Historic Trail so we can preserve this piece of our past.
  
  
• Recognizing Arkansas Veterans: The ‘Salute to Veterans’ series honors the service and sacrifice of Arkansas veterans who served our nation in uniform. In the latest edition, I highlighted the service of the late Col. James Elmer, a Vietnam veteran who served as Commander of the Little Rock Air Force Base during his 30-years in uniform. His memories of his time in uniform are an important part of our history that will be submitted to the Veterans History Project.
  
  
• Connecting on Social Media: Stay up to date with what I’m doing for Arkansans via social media. You can find me on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.