Team, let’s talk about our veterans.
Last month when I hosted Veterans Affairs Secretary McDonough to NY-19, together, we met with veterans right here in NY-19, and were able to foster conversations regarding the needs of our veterans. The meaningful conversations we had shed a light on a reality that too many of our veterans have been forced to face.
Conversations aren’t the only thing that gives us insight. Take a look at some of these disturbing statistics regarding our veterans:
- Veterans suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) at disproportionate rates compared to the general public. While just 6.8% of the general population will experience PTSD, 12.9% of Veterans are diagnosed -- and the numbers increase every year.
- In the past 20 years, the number of Veterans who die by suicide has risen to 17-18 veteran suicides per day.
- There are an estimated 40,000 veterans experiencing homelessness on any given night, and account for 11% of homeless adults in the U.S.
- Over 20% of veterans who suffer from PTSD also suffer from drug abuse.
- In 2020 alone, the unemployment rate for veterans increased by over 6%.
- Over 1.5 million veterans do not have health insurance.
The reality is clear: Our veterans are struggling, and have been struggling for quite some time. We can and must do better. Doing better means putting what we learn through conversations and statistics into action.
We have an opportunity to right this wrong through passing meaningful legislation, like the legislation I introduced a few months ago -- the REACH Act and the MST Survivors Act. Will you please become a citizen co-sponsor of these critical pieces of legislation?
This past Summer, I was proud to introduce the REACH Act and the MST Survivors Act. Both pieces of legislation are dedicated to improving different types of services directly catered to helping our veterans.
Team, we owe it all to our veterans.
Every day, we’re lucky enough to wake up, drop our kids and grandkids off at school, hang out with neighbors, and go to a local farm for some milk. We often take these things for granted, as we’re only able to live our everyday lives thanks to our veterans.
We owe it to them to make their everyday lives better. Sign on and become a citizen co-sponsor of my legislation -- because we need to fight for our veterans as they’ve fought for us.
Onward and upward,
Antonio
