ANNAPOLIS, MD — Governor Wes Moore this afternoon hosted a roundtable with veteran service organizations to discuss Maryland veterans’ access to U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs benefits and highlight the critical importance of protecting benefits for Maryland’s veterans. The roundtable was convened in partnership with the Maryland Department of Veterans and Military Families.
The governor was joined at the American Legion Cook-Pinkney Post #141 in Annapolis by Maryland Department of Veterans and Military Families Secretary Tony Woods and veterans representing the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Disabled American Veterans, and Student Veterans of America for the discussion.
Veterans shared personal stories about how health care and other benefits offered by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs have shaped their lives and the lives of the Maryland veterans they serve. They underscored the critical role of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs in providing life-saving support through the Veterans Crisis Line—which helps prevent veteran suicide—and providing specialized cancer treatment through the
PACT Act for those affected by toxic exposure.
Amidst the federal government’s proposed cuts to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs—which would undermine access to veterans health care, benefits, and the full implementation of the PACT Act—the governor reaffirmed Maryland’s commitment to serving veterans across the state. The governor committed to continuing the Moore-Miller Administration’s work in partnership with veteran service organizations to ensure that the dignity of veterans is honored.
The meeting concluded after 2:30 PM.