Michelle Obama paid a visit to the Veterans Affairs headquarters on Tuesday, part of a tour of all cabinet department headquarters, and thanked VA employees for their tireless service.
Obama's speech highlighted the service of nearly 300,000 Veterans Affairs workers and the efforts of the Obama Administration to address veterans issues:
This administration has made progress towards creating one lifetime electronic health record service for members that will stay with them from the day they enlist to the day they no longer need these services. And that's something that I hear in all of my visits -- just simplifying the medical records. You're doing that.
This administration is increasing the number of Vet Centers and mobile health clinics, expanding access to care to rural areas that need it. That's another thing that I've heard. If you don't live in the right community by an existing center -- many of our veterans can't even access the service that's being provided. You're working on that as well.
This administration put new focus on the new care required for today's wars -- injuries like post-traumatic stress and traumatic brain injury.
Obama noted that VA funding has been increased to provide new services and expand others, including providing health coverage coverage for 500,000 veterans who had previously been denied. The First Lady also touched upon the president's promise to end homelessness among veterans.
The President will sign the Veterans Health Care Budget Reform and Transparency Act on Thursday, to ensure a more timely and predictable flow of funding for VA medical care.