Senator Stanley Leads Interim Study on Improving Care for Veterans

OKLAHOMA CITY – Sen. Brenda Stanley, R- Midwest City, on Thursday hosted an interim study to explore how the state can improve care for our nation’s heroes.  

Stanley, chair of the Senate Veterans and Military Affairs Committee, invited officials from the Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs and the Oklahoma Veterans Commission to discuss veterans’ needs and explore how the state can provide additional support.

Oklahoma is home to more than 275,000 veterans.

"We have done a lot for veterans in Oklahoma, but there is always more that can be done to give back to the brave men and women who have served our country,” Senator Stanley said. “After this study, I’m fully convinced we have the right people working in the right places to give our veterans all the support they need now and into the future.”

Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs Executive Director James Bynum shared a long-range plan for meeting the ever-changing needs of Oklahoma veterans. The plan, called "Posturing for 2047" included detailed operations plans for state-run veterans' homes, strategies for maintaining a high-level standard of care and diversifying revenue sources.

ODVA oversees seven state-run veterans' homes that have a combined 1,348 beds. Bynum talked about ways to improve the quality of care at each of those homes,

"As we look forward toward the future, we are considering ways to make sure our veteran homes offer both economic viability as well as quality of life for both residents and staff,” he said.

Stanley said one of the most impactful moments of the study was hearing from U.S. Marine veteran Billy Worthington, who has been receiving care at the Sallisaw veterans home after being seriously injured in a motorcycle crash. Worthington said he is grateful for the care he received there. After the accident, doctors told him he might not walk for a year, but thanks to the support in Sallisaw, he was able to walk into the state Capitol and share his testimony just months later.

"Our veterans homes are making a real difference in the lives of the Oklahomans who live there,” Senator Stanley said. "I am looking forward to a continued partnership with the ODVA to ensure Oklahoma continues to have efficient, world-class care for our veterans."

To watch the interim study, visit Live Proceedings | Oklahoma Senate