North Michigan News

In a recent opinion piece published in the Military Times, Rep. Bergman emphasized the importance of providing prompt and efficient care to paralyzed veterans who have sacrificed their mobility in service to the nation. Highlighting the advancements in assistive technology, Rep. Bergman expressed, "New advancements in assistive technology have offered many veterans with spinal injuries a new lease on life."

The article sheds light on the challenges faced by paralyzed veterans in accessing necessary resources and technology, despite the availability of innovative solutions like powered exoskeletons. Rep. Bergman stressed, "Those who stood in harm’s way for us — and in doing so lost their ability to walk — deserve every ounce of our help."

Introducing the Veterans Spinal Trauma Access to New Devices (Veterans STAND) Act, Rep. Bergman called for annual health evaluations of paralyzed veterans by the Department of Veterans Affairs to ensure timely access to FDA-approved assistance devices. The bipartisan nature of this initiative was highlighted by the collaboration of various members of the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee.

According to the VA, there are approximately 42,000 veterans with spinal cord injuries in the U.S., with only 27,000 receiving annual care through the VA SCI/D network. Recognizing the need for improvement, Rep. Bergman urged Congress to support the Veterans STAND Act to address the existing barriers and provide essential technology to paralyzed veterans.

Emphasizing the urgency of the situation, Rep. Bergman stated, "Demand can’t be met with apathy or sluggishness. Congress must do its part to ensure that VA acts swiftly and pragmatically on behalf of the greatest among us by advancing the bipartisan Veterans STAND Act." The article concluded with a call to action, highlighting the readiness of technology to support those who have served the nation and the collective responsibility to fulfill this critical mission.