Political Quotes

“last fall I led a discussion with NM Veterans Secretary John Garcia on post-traumatic stress disorder or PTSD and other issues facing our veterans. We held our discussion near Silver City, New Mexico, at the historic Fort Bayard medical facility. This was an outstanding chance to hear firsthand from veterans about the medical problems they were facing. During this meeting, I found out that one of the biggest challenges that many veterans in southern New Mexico face is finding nearby treatment for PTSD and traumatic brain injury which are called the signature wounds of the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. A bit of background for those who may not be familiar with my home State. Southern New Mexico is home to White Sands Missile Range, Holloman Air Force Base, and most of Fort. Bliss. It is a region filled with active duty personnel, as well as many veterans who choose to stay in New Mexico and the El Paso region after finishing their active duty service. And as more and more veterans return from Afghanistan and Iraq suffering from PTSD and traumatic brain injury, many need the services of polytrauma centers--which specialize in treating injuries like PTSD and TBI. Unfortunately, the closest polytrauma centers to southern New Mexico are hundreds of miles away. That is why, after hearing the stories of veterans who attended our Fort Bayard meeting, I began working on legislation to help improve the ability for them to access care in the region.…”