Chapter Members Advocate at D.C. Seminar

The Mountain States Chapter sent four members—the most ever—to PVA’s Advocacy and Legislative Seminar in Washington, D.C., held June 10-12. 

John Henderson, executive director of the Mountain States Chapter; Renae Byrd McMinn, board member and secretary; Erin Cavit, board member; and Tom Wheaton, PVA national treasurer, joined more than 150 PVA members, chapter leaders and staff from across the U.S. to advocate for the PVA’s top legislative priorities. These include preserving the Department of Veterans Affairs’ spinal cord injuries and disorders (SCI/D) system of care, increasing disability access within the VA, and improving access to housing and vehicle modifications. PVA also announced that its petition to oppose dismantling the SCI/D system of care now has nearly 3,500 signatures.

Collectively, participants visited the offices of more than 300 members of Congress. Mountain States Chapter members met with 21 of the region’s 28 legislators, including those representing Colorado, Utah, New Mexico and Wyoming. While most meetings were held with legislative staffers (as is customary), this year’s delegation met several lawmakers in person, including Reps. Brittany Pettersen, D-Colo..; Jeff Hurd, R-Colo.; Gabe Vasquez, D-N.M.; and Blake Moore, R-Utah. 

Before traveling to Washington, D.C., members attended virtual seminars to learn about the policy priorities identified by National PVA. Additional priorities include:

• Increasing Special Monthly Compensation (SMC) rates for veterans with catastrophic injuries and illnesses. 
• Increasing Home Improvements and Structural Alterations (HISA) grants to align with present-day home modification costs. 
• Improving access to transportation for both ground and air travel.