U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski announced two legislative efforts she says will support veterans and their families.
Sen. Murkowski introduced, with Sen. Dan Sullivan as a cosponsor, the Colonel Mary Louise Rasmuson Campus of the Alaska VA Healthcare System Act of 2022 to name the Alaska VA Clinic after the late Col. Mary Louise Rasmuson, the wife of the late banker Elmer Rasmuson and cofounder of the Rasmuson Foundation.
Mary Louise Rasmuson was a leader in the Women’s Army Corps who expanded opportunities for women serving in the military, including integrating women of African descent into the corps.
“Sen. Murkowski also responded to Alaskan veteran’s concerns surrounding a lack of health long term care options for veterans by cosponsoring the Elizabeth Dole Home and Community Based Services for Veterans and Caregivers Act. This bill aims to delay the need to send veterans to long-term institutional care by expanding access to quality home and community-based programs and increasing coordination efforts,” the press release from Murkowski said.
“Colonel Mary Louise Rasmuson is a well-known name in Alaska. She spent her life advocating for women in the military and expanding their opportunities within the service. Following her twenty-year military career, Mary Louise continued that same level of service as a civic leader and philanthropist for the betterment of our Alaska communities. It’s fitting that we not only honor her legacy of service, but also the growing number of female veterans she fought on behalf of throughout her distinguished career. I’ve worked hard to ensure female veterans have equity to their male counterparts and access to the benefits they’ve earned. This bill builds on those efforts to ensure their service is explicitly recognized and well-represented in Alaska,” Murkowski said.
Sen. Murkowski also cosponsored the Elizabeth Dole Home and Community Based Services for Veterans and Caregivers Act. This bill aims to delay the need to send veterans to long-term institutional care by expanding access to quality home and community-based programs and increasing coordination efforts.
“I’m also proud to cosponsor the Elizabeth Dole Home and Community Based Services for Veterans and Caregivers Act. In Alaska, we are proud to have the highest rate of veterans per capita, which also includes a large population of aging and older veterans. This bill addresses a real need and expands access to care and community-based programs, making it easier for veterans to maintain their independence and get the care they need at home. Supporting all veterans remains one of my top priorities,” she said.
