Alabama House Committee Visits Tuskegee Veterans Health Campus

Last Tuesday, members of the Alabama House Committee on Military and Veterans Affairs toured the historic Tuskegee campus of the Central Alabama Veterans Health System. They were accompanied by representatives from both the Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs and the Mental Health Department.

This wasn’t just your typical visit; it was prompted by a conversation with a veteran who had praised the behavioral health services at the facility. Hearing his experience made me realize the importance of understanding what’s available for Alabama’s veterans through federal programs.

It’s crucial that veterans receive more than just words of thanks. When it comes to mental health, timely and effective care is essential. With only two inpatient behavioral health facilities for veterans—one in Tuskegee and another in Tuscaloosa—it’s vital to enhance the resources we do have.

As both a professional and a veteran, I’ve learned a key lesson: in times of crisis, your first priority must be to stop the immediate danger, but you also need to understand what’s causing it. This principle applies to mental health care as well. We need to act quickly to provide urgent help, but lasting improvements require us to tackle the underlying causes.

It was a privilege to join the committee, which includes leaders like Rep. Ed Oliver, Rep. Jerry Stearns, and Rep. Mark Guidley. Also present were key figures from state agencies, such as Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Jeff Newton and Alabama Department of Mental Health Secretary Kim Boswell. Their involvement highlighted just how important collaboration is in promoting veterans’ health.

During the visit, I also installed a sign for the veteran crisis management line (dial 988 and press 1) alongside the “Operation We Remember” flag on site. This initiative, through the Alabama Challenge and the U.S. 250 Alabama Veterans Honorary Committee, aims to provide vital resources and convey a message to veterans: “We meet, we respect you, we are here for you.”

This visit was an important occasion to unite leaders and stakeholders focused on improving access to mental health support for veterans throughout Alabama.

I’m proud of the House Committee on Military and Veterans Affairs for our ongoing work, both during and after the legislative session. Our goal is to strengthen partnerships, assess existing services, and push for meaningful enhancements in how we engage with the federal system, not only at the state level.

Let all Alabama veterans know that they have a voice in the legislature. You are not alone. Your service is honored, your needs are acknowledged, and your health is our top priority.