On Monday, Congressman Mike Lawler hosted Secretary Of Veterans Affairs Doug Collins for a visit to the Montrose Veterans Affairs Medical Center, followed by a roundtable discussion with Hudson Valley veterans at VFW Post 8328.
The visit focused on strengthening access to care for veterans, improving coordination with community providers, and hearing directly from those who rely on Veterans Affairs services.
At the Montrose facility, Collins and Lawler received a leadership briefing, toured the medical center, and took part in a coin recognition ceremony honoring staff and service members. They later traveled to Yorktown, where they met with veterans and local leaders for an open and candid discussion.
During the roundtable, veterans raised several key concerns, including appointment wait times, access to mental health services, transportation challenges, and difficulties navigating the Veterans Affairs benefits system.
“It matters when leadership shows up, listens, and engages directly with the men and women who served our country,” Lawler said. “Today was about hearing from Hudson Valley veterans — what’s working, what’s not, and where we need to do better. Whether it’s access to care, mental health services, or navigating benefits, our responsibility is simple: deliver results and keep our promises.”
The visit also highlighted ongoing efforts to improve healthcare access in suburban and rural areas like the Hudson Valley, where many veterans face long travel distances to reach Veterans Affairs facilities or community providers.
“Under President Trump, Veterans Affairs is back to putting veterans at the center of everything we do,” Collins said. “Our mission is clear: cut the red tape and make it easier for heroes to get the world-class care and benefits they’ve earned. We won’t stop until every veteran in the Hudson Valley and across the country has a Veterans Affairs system that works for them, not against them.”
Lawler has been a leading advocate for veterans in the region, including introducing the HEAL Act to expand transportation support and ensure fair mileage reimbursement for those traveling to receive care. He has also supported mental health initiatives such as the Dwyer Peer Support Program and continues working to streamline the Veterans Affairs claims and benefits process.
According to his office, these efforts have delivered tangible results, with nearly $3 million in Veterans Affairs-related casework returned to constituents and 272 cases successfully resolved on behalf of veterans and their families.
