Video & Transcript : 'VA' :
Page 15 of 62
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
- faculty at the University of Utah and later at the University of Arizona Health Science Center and the VA
- hospital in Tucson, at the University of Arizona Health Science Center and the VA hospital in Tucson
AZ
Arizona 2026 Regular Session
03/23/2026 - Senate Military Affairs and Border Security
Military Affairs and Border Security
Transcript Highlights:
- And so although the Department of Corrections notifies the VA, they don't notify DVS.
- You know, getting out of jail really helped me buy into VA services, buy into mental health services.
- I did go see them, but we had our own little section as well for the veterans through the VA, the CRRC
Committee:
Senate Military Affairs and Border Security
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- 04:13.439><c> to</c> qualified applicants for appointment to qualified applicants for appointment to VA
- c><00:04:15.680><c> led</c><00:04:15.920><c> to</c><00:04:16.079><c> a</c><00:04:16.239><c> gap</c> VA
- to the vacant positions led to a gap VA to the vacant positions led to a gap in<00:04:16.639><c> voices
NH
Transcript Highlights:
- Meet the VA survey requirements that we need to stay licensed through the VA.
- </c> Hampshire Veterans Home utilizes the VA Hampshire Veterans Home utilizes the VA grant<00:08:14.720
- The be certified yearly through the VA.
- Meet the VA survey requirements down.
- Um have our health life and the VA.
Committee:
Senate Finance
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
Military and Veterans Affairs, Space, and Domestic Security Oct 14th, 2025
Military and Veterans Affairs, Space, and Domestic Security
Transcript Highlights:
- Again, it's the federal VA that we work with. That area.
- Again, it's the federal VA that we work with to make that happen.
- Most veterans don't get dental care from the VA.
- Most veterans don't get dental care from the VA.
- The federal VA is who's actually helping there, and community care is helping with this.
Summary:
The committee first heard a presentation from Major General James Hartzell of the Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs on the agency’s mission, outreach efforts, state veterans nursing homes, and support programs. He highlighted Florida’s large and growing veteran population, the state’s existing nursing homes and the planned 10th home in Collier County, and the department’s dental assistance program, which served 245 veterans in the first quarter of the fiscal year and completed 1,631 procedures while saving more than $525,000. He also discussed veteran service officers, the benefits guide, the department newsletter, efforts to reduce veteran homelessness, and mental health outreach through the Overwatch/Firewatch program. Senators asked about future nursing home locations, adult day health care, homelessness, and the dental program; Hartzell also announced that retired Colonel D.J. Reyes will become deputy executive director on November 7.
The committee then heard from Kevin Guthrie, Executive Director of the Division of Emergency Management, on disaster response, recovery, and agency modernization. He described the State Emergency Response Team, the new Florida Central Operations and Coordination Office warehouse in Auburndale, and the new state emergency operations center in Tallahassee, which is ahead of schedule and designed to hold about 220 people and withstand 200-mph winds. Guthrie reviewed recovery efforts for recent storms, including debris removal, volunteer villages, sheltering, and FEMA reimbursement totals for Hurricanes Milton, Helene, Debbie, Idalia, Ian, and earlier storms. He also discussed the Elevate Florida home-elevation program, the Florida Recovery Obligation Calculation training initiative, the DEMES platform, and WebEOC, noting that 60 counties and 22 colleges and universities are using the system.
Members asked Guthrie about flood-response resources for cities, training for local officials, and lessons from inland flooding after recent storms. He explained how local governments can request pumps and other assistance through county and state channels, described upcoming elected-official training, and emphasized mutual aid and EMAC as key future disaster-response tools. The committee took no formal votes or other legislative action and adjourned at the end of the meeting.
ND
North Dakota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Appropriations - Human Resources Division Apr 9th, 2025 at 03:00 pm
Appropriations - Human Resources Division
Transcript Highlights:
- And then also the federal VA regional office was 36% higher than the North Dakota Department of Veterans
- And let's see, federal VA regional office veterans claim examiners are 36 percent.
- Federal VA regional office veterans claim examiners are 36 percent higher than the North Dakota Department
- I work with VA on their work studies.
- our state, that there's a need, whether it's at the state level or the county level or through the VA
Summary:
The committee took up Senate Bill 2025, the Veterans Home/Veterans Affairs budget, and worked through the long sheet line by line. Members discussed base payroll, salary and health insurance increases, FTE pool adjustments, IT rate increases, operating expenses, transportation grants, the PTSD service dog program, salary equity requests, temporary help/intern funding, a Veterans Benefit Specialist FTE, accrued leave, and several one-time or carryover items including the Fisher House, document scanning, and veterans medical transportation. The committee also reviewed proposed policy language that would shift governance authority for the Veterans Home and Department of Veterans Affairs from the Administrative Committee on Veterans Affairs to the governor, and would remove board authority over salary-setting and related hiring powers.
A major portion of the meeting focused on clarifying the commissioner salary equity line and how the agency had shifted operating dollars to fund the commissioner’s current salary increase. After discussion with agency staff and Lonnie, the committee voted to remove the separate commissioner salary equity increase line and instead restore operating funding, ultimately setting the operating line at $50,000 above the prior amount rather than fully funding the executive request. The committee also approved funding for the Veterans Benefit Specialist FTE, approved a carryforward/exemption for accrued leave, approved authority to accept $200,000 in federal transportation grant funds, approved the $500,000 transfers related to veterans homelessness, and approved the exemption language for certain federal/state fiscal recovery funds after discussing whether the funds were properly obligated.
On the governance amendment, members expressed concern about making a major policy change in an appropriations bill, but also frustration over the board’s salary actions. After debate, the committee adopted the amendment transferring governance authority to the governor by a 7-1 vote. The committee also approved a smaller amount for veteran service officer salary equity than requested, and rejected funding for temporary salaries and an intern. The chair then directed staff to prepare the amended bill for further action, with the committee planning to revisit it once the revised version was ready.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Agriculture, Veterans, Broadband, and Rural Development - Subcommittee on Veterans - 03/17/25
Agriculture, Veterans, Broadband, and Rural Development - Subcommittee on Veterans
Transcript Highlights:
- We got him into the VA for counseling. ready<00:03:59.360><c> all</c><00:03:59.519><c> right</c><00:03
- got</c><00:05:33.800><c> him</c><00:05:34.039><c> into</c><00:05:34.880><c> the</c><00:05:35.039><c> VA
- </c><00:05:35.440><c> for</c> sober we got him into the VA for sober we got him into the VA for counseling
- But we have to get them into the VA to make sure that they're okay. Thank you, Mr. Deion.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- Next we have Va-Megn Thao, founder and CEO of Asian Economic Development Association.
- Bruce Corrie, economist, who will be testifying virtually after Va-Megn.
- Welcome to the committee, Va-Megn. Good to see you.
- Va-Megn. Good to see you. Uh please Va-Megn. Good to see you.
- </c> My name is Va-Megn Thao. My name is Va-Megn Thao.
Committee:
House Legacy Finance
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
US House Floor Proceedings (Monday, January 13, 2025)
US Federal House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- horrible cancers, heart disease, life-threatening conditions, to make sure that they connected to the VA
- Last week, on January 8th, Secretary McDonough of the VA announced that another five illnesses are going
- Health Care system connected to the VA Health Care system and<00:07:19.240><c> get</c><00:07:19.440>
- </c> gymnastics of having to prove to the VA gymnastics of having to prove to the VA where<00:07:41.800
- </c> January 8th secretary MCD of the VA January 8th secretary MCD of the VA announced<00:08:14.520><
Keywords:
committee appointments, House of Representatives, government structure, legislative process, membership, committee assignments, elections, legislation, government, oversight, US-Canada relations, economic security, energy security, bipartisan, trade and investment, Ramadan, faith, Islam, community, charitable contributions
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Floor Session Jun 25th, 2026
California Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- The veterans already have a VA loan program that's out there and available to them to get into their
- The veterans already have an ability through the VA program that's only being 13% utilized.
- My colleague from Orange County mentioned VA.
- And I've sold the VA and I've sold... ...because of the restrictions.
- And I've sold the VA and I've sold CalVet.
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
Interim Joint Committee on Families and Children (6-25-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- benefits, um, food stamps, security, VA benefits, um, food stamps, anything<00:31:30.399><c> like</c
- So federally it takes us about six months or more to get someone's VA benefits.
- So federally it takes us about six months or more to get someone's VA benefits.
- So federally it takes us about six months or more to get someone's VA benefits.
- So federally it takes us about six months or more to get someone's VA benefits.
Summary:
The Interim Joint Committee on Families and Children opened its first meeting with roll call and a reminder about the number of children in out-of-home care with active placements, which the chair said was 8,641 as of June 1, 2025. The committee then heard a presentation from the Center for Courageous Kids, a donor-funded camp in Scottville that serves children with lifelong illnesses and disabilities at no charge. Representatives described the camp’s year-round family retreats and summer sessions, its medically safe and inclusive model, and examples of campers gaining confidence and independence. They said the camp has served more than 43,000 campers from Kentucky, other states, and other countries, and that it is seeking legislative support for two capital projects: a new art barn and a medical lodge, with a combined request of $3.2 million. Members praised the program and asked about awareness, staffing, volunteer recruitment, accreditation, and how the projects would expand capacity; the camp said the medical lodge would help increase volunteer housing and allow future growth beyond its current summer cap of 128 campers per session.
The committee then moved to adult protective services and state guardianship programs. Jessica Wayne, director of the Division of Guardianship, and Cliff Bryant of DCBS explained the legal framework for guardianship and conservatorship, including state guardianship as a last-resort option when no family member or private entity is available or appropriate. They outlined the court petition process, emergency appointments, and the distinction between full and limited guardianship or conservatorship. They emphasized that guardianship is based on legal incapacity to make decisions, not simply on a medical disability diagnosis, and noted that state guardianship can be arranged for some 17-year-olds aging out of youth services.
The presenters said the state currently serves 4,645 individuals under guardianship, with most cases involving developmental intellectual disabilities, supported community living waiver participants, and people in nursing homes or long-term care facilities. They also described the division’s three branches: field services, which handles visits and day-to-day decisions in all 120 counties; a benefits branch that applies for public benefits; and a fiduciary branch that manages funds and pays bills. They reported 89 field workers statewide, an average caseload of 52, and said the agency is hiring to reduce that load. No votes or formal committee actions were taken during the meeting.
MO
Transcript Highlights:
- Of that, 100 are getting ready to go down to the Truman VA Veteran Food Pantry.
- So Truman VA was a great place where we could offload a lot of the food and do good with it.
- Truman VA is our other big community outreach with, like I said, the weekly eggs.
- Truman VA is our other big community outreach with like I said the weekly eggs.
Committee:
House Veterans and Armed Forces
Summary:
The Veterans and Armed Forces Committee heard presentations from three organizations focused on veteran support and mental health. Dogs for Our Brave described its service-dog program for veterans with mobility limitations and PTSD, emphasizing the dogs’ daily assistance with tasks like retrieving items, opening doors, bracing, and getting help, as well as the emotional benefits for veterans and their families. The group said each dog costs about $50,000 to train, with total lifetime support for a veteran-dog team estimated at $75,000 to $125,000, and noted it serves veterans nationwide from a St. Louis base. Committee members asked about fundraising, expansion, and what happens to a dog if a veteran dies; the organization said it relies mainly on private donations and grants, is moving into a larger facility that will increase capacity, and would try to repurpose a dog when appropriate, with family wishes considered first.
Dalton Schmidt of Warriors’ Hoof Haven outlined a newer, free program for combat veterans and their families centered on horses, farming, outdoor recreation, and community outreach. He said the group is based near Thomas Hill Lake in Huntsville on 13 acres and is building activities such as horse handling and riding, meat chicken and produce farming, fishing, kayaking, jet skis, boats, firewood delivery, food bundles, and farm-tool lending. He said the organization funds its work through grants, donations, and sponsors, and that its goal is to reduce financial barriers and get veterans back into the community. Members asked about fundraising and the venison-for-vets effort, which Schmidt said is run by Truman VA and is supported by his group through incentives and outreach.
Brian Nooner, founder of the Mental Health Huddle and a commissioner with the Department of Mental Health, gave a personal account of his own depression, anxiety, PTSD, and isolation after a serious fall and a prolonged COVID-related recovery. He said his experience led him to create the Mental Health Huddle to encourage people to seek help, reduce stigma, identify triggers, avoid one-way relationships, and find hope through faith, family, or other supports. He stressed that he is not a medical professional but a patient sharing resources and said the effort is aimed at making help free and confidential. Committee members thanked him for his testimony and courage, and the chair adjourned the committee after the presentations.
HI
Hawaii 2026 Regular Session
House Chamber - Wed Feb 11, 2026, 12:00PM HST - Day 13
Hawaii House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Va, their Hawaiian studies program, pre-K-5.
- 09.519><c> Pu</c> Sacred Heart School and Kikulu Kamali Pu Sacred Heart School and Kikulu Kamali Pu Va
- Hawaiian</c><00:15:11.600><c> studies</c><00:15:12.160><c> program</c><00:15:12.800><c> prek25</c> Va
- their Hawaiian studies program prek25 Va their Hawaiian studies program prek25 and<00:15:15.040><c>
Bills:
HB2391 , HB2294 , HB2374 , HB1997 , HB2147 , HB2185 , HB1641 , HB2195 , HB2023 , HB2031 , HB2033 , HB1937 , HB2586 , HB2575 , HB2030 , HB2115 , HB2233 , HB1801 , HB1546 , HB2132 , HB2102 , HB2356 , HB2457 , HB2292 , HB2554 , HB676 , HB1528 , HB2061 , HB2094 , HB2095 , HB2181 , HB2369 , HB2578 , HB2493 , HB1642 , HB1991 , HB1652 , HB2104 , HB2593 , HB1553 , HB1823 , HB1918 , HB1860 , HB2604 , HB2605 , HB2001 , HB2437 , HB1947 , HB2384 , HB2473 , HB2140 , HB1458 , HB2603 , HB2411 , HB1611 , HB2138 , HB2141 , HB2284 , HB1568 , HB1924 , HB1928 , HB2570
AZ
Arizona 2026 Regular Session
01/06/2026 - Senate Ad Hoc Committee on Access to Breakthrough Mental Health Therapies
Transcript Highlights:
- more positive evidence is accumulating, and this issue has support among lots of key people at HHS, VA
- Support among lots of key people at HHS, VA, and FDA.
- We know in the veteran community, you know, the VAs will publish data about 20 to 22 a day that are lost
- Federal leaders, including the... ...FDA and the VA, have already publicly acknowledged that this is
Summary:
The Senate Ad Hoc Committee on Access to Breakthrough Mental Health Therapies met to discuss psychedelic-assisted treatments for serious mental health conditions, with a focus on psilocybin, ibogaine, MDMA, and related compounds. The chair framed the issue as a clinical and access problem for veterans, first responders, and others with PTSD, depression, TBI, addiction, and suicidal ideation, emphasizing that these therapies are intended for supervised medical settings rather than take-home use. Members reviewed research claims and policy trends, including FDA breakthrough therapy designations, state-level psychedelic legislation, and the role of Arizona’s right-to-try law in expanding access once federal approval is in place.
Testimony came from Alan Mullen, a retired Army Special Forces veteran, who described his PTSD/TBI history and said ibogaine treatment helped him confront trauma and showed promise in reducing symptoms under strict medical monitoring. Dr. Sue Cisley of Scottsdale Research Institute described ongoing FDA-controlled trials in Arizona, said current medications often fail high-need patients, and urged removal of research barriers and preparation for right-to-try and expanded access. Dan Freiberg of the Professional Firefighters of Arizona said firefighters face chronic exposure to trauma, often rely on alcohol or other coping mechanisms, and need effective alternatives beyond traditional therapy. Dr. Chung Trin discussed late-stage psychedelic trials, the FDA breakthrough pathway, safety oversight, and the need for state readiness when approvals occur.
Committee members asked about how the treatments work, whether they require psychotherapy support, safety concerns including suicidality and black-market abuse, patenting and synthetic versus natural versions, and costs compared with ketamine and other treatments. Witnesses said the therapies are administered with extensive screening, monitoring, and integration support, and argued that addiction potential appears low under medical supervision. The discussion ended with interest in sending correspondence to federal officials to support right-to-try cooperation and in continuing the research and policy work; no formal vote or action was taken in the portion provided.
NH
New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session
House Finance Division I (02/09/2026)
Transcript Highlights:
- has seen, is these methods, which the VA has seen, is that<00:43:00.880><c> you</c><00:43:01.040><c>
- So, it's our belief that we do save, and the VA actually did show that you do save money doing this.
- </c><00:53:11.359><c> The</c><00:53:11.599><c> VA</c> >> Thank you for the opportunity.
- The VA >> Thank you for the opportunity.
- </c> our belief that we do save and the VA our belief that we do save and the VA actually<00:53:50.559
Summary:
The committee first heard testimony on House Bill 1042, which would increase the BFA contingent credit limit. State Treasurer Monica Misipelli explained that under RSA 66, state debt capacity is tied to unrestricted revenue and that guaranteed debt counts in the calculation even though it is contingent rather than direct debt. She said the state currently has about 4.2% to 4.3% debt-to-revenue ratio, about $120 million in additional capacity, and that approving the bill’s proposed increase would reduce available capacity for future state borrowing, including capital budgets. She noted the BFA has a long history of using guarantees without a state payout, but said the legislature should consider whether the full additional $250 million is needed and whether unused guarantee authorizations, such as one for the Pease Development Authority, should be reviewed in the future.
Committee members asked whether guarantees have the same effect as actual debt for bonding capacity, and the treasurer confirmed that they do for purposes of the formula. Members also asked about the usual level of debt relative to the statutory 10% cap, and she said the state generally stays well below that limit. BFA Executive Director James Key Wallace then testified that the request was driven by rising project costs, inflation, and the need for more runway so the agency does not have to return to the legislature in an emergency. He said the BFA is self-supported, has never had a guarantee paid out by the state, requires collateral and reserves, and believes the appropriate range is closer to $400 million to $450 million; he also said a Senate bill would raise the limit to $400 million. He added that the BFA’s pipeline includes projects from about $15 million to $100 million and that housing availability is an important factor in business location decisions.
After closing the work session on House Bill 1042, the committee opened House Bill 241, a bill on health insurance coverage for pain management services for chronic pain. Representative Dave Nagel, the prime sponsor, gave extensive background on his long career in pain medicine and said the bill is intended to improve access to non-opioid therapies and evidence-based pain management. He described the broad population affected by chronic pain and opioid use disorder, and said the proposal has long had bipartisan and stakeholder support. No vote or final action was taken on House Bill 241 in the portion of the meeting provided.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Floor Session 4/29/25 - Part 2
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- I have both the VA and the veterans home in my district. I hear about it all the time.
- I have both the VA and the veterans home in my district. I hear about it all the time.
- The VA said if you're a federal employee, you cannot be accredited.
- That's just the way the VA wrote the law, probably at the federal level.
- He was turned down by the VA and he says, "I can't get any more help.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Minnesota House repasses amended veterans bill, SF1959 5/17/25
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- We know that the VA at the federal level had a bunch of cuts, but what I was relieved to hear with the
- We know that the VA<00:02:53.200><c> at</c><00:02:53.360><c> the</c><00:02:53.440><c> federal</c><00:
- <00:02:53.920><c> had</c><00:02:54.160><c> a</c><00:02:54.319><c> bunch</c><00:02:54.400><c> of</c> VA
- at the federal level had a bunch of VA at the federal level had a bunch of cuts,<00:02:55.200><c> but
- as required by federal VA as required by federal law.<00:29:18.000><c> There</c><00:29:18.240><c> are
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- program was the claims support, so we provide assistance to veterans in submitting their claims to the VA
- and then also we advise and a peer for them with the VA to help them with their claims getting processed
- the veteran and getting appointments and getting through any of the hurdles they may have with the VA
- They're there for assistance, actually have employees on the ground. on VAs being very accessible to
- Well, that's a small little town with all kinds of challenges. that, you know, with the former VA system
Committee:
Senate Nominations
Keywords:
Texas Water Fund, water management, infrastructure funding, local governments, workforce development, community colleges, educational programs, sustainability
Summary:
The meeting focused on several crucial issues, including the Texas Water Fund and its implications for development in the state. Various members highlighted the critical need for effective management of water resources, discussing the role of the Water Development Board and their strategies for outreach to local governments. The committee engaged in a thorough examination of funding projects and the sustainable financing necessary for communities facing challenges in meeting their infrastructure needs. Additionally, there was notable discussion regarding promoting workforce development and the alignment of educational programs with the demands of the job market as indicated by recent trends in community colleges.
NH
New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session
House Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs (02/11/2026)
Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- Um, those other VA stuff that you have.
- The VA actually already does this, but the VA is a unique thing, and they already demonstrated you can
- The VA actually already does this, but the VA is a unique thing, and they already demonstrated you can
- That's exactly how the VA does it. But the VA can do that.
- That's exactly how the VA does it. But the VA can do that.
ID
Transcript Highlights:
- They're at the VA. They're at the hospital. They're at a prison.
- They're at the VA. They're at the hospital. They're at a prison.
- Maybe that's a VA or a vet who's suffering moral injury, right, and reviewing their life.
- military career, had the opportunity to work with some amazing behavioral health folks who work for the VA
- person and said that, after six years in the Marine Corps, multiple combat deployments, years at the VA
Committee:
Senate Commerce and Human Resources