Iowa Gov.-elect Rob Sand hears veterans’ requests for state support on Veterans Day

DES MOINES, Iowa (Gray Media Iowa State Capitol Bureau) — Iowa Gov.-elect Rob Sand served breakfast to veterans at a Hy-Vee in West Des Moines on Veterans Day. He thanked them for their service and heard where they say they need more support from the state.

Sand said the day is a time to recognize veterans and their families.

“It’s important that we have at least one day a year where we recognize the sacrifices that they and their families have made,” Sand said.

What veterans want from the next governor

Veterans want Sand to make them a priority when he takes office. Some want more money for mental health care and medical bills.

Air Force veteran Mike Potratz said his son needs mental health support after serving overseas.

“The young soldiers and veterans that have been serving overseas now, the issues that they have. My son served in the Air Force also overseas and has had issues dealing with it,” Potratz said.

Veterans Trust Fund

The state’s Veterans Trust Fund ran out of money in 2022 after the program expanded who can use it. The program gave grants to help veterans with health care costs, education and home repairs.

Gov. Kim Reynolds used federal grant funding to refill the trust fund.

Sand did not say how much state funding should go into the trust fund. He said he is committed to using state resources to support veterans.

“If you’re forgetting to put money into the fund that we use to make sure that the people who served can come back and make the adjustments that they need in their home, because they have a new reality maybe with an injury. If you’ve forgotten about that then you’re a little away from where you need to be,” Sand said.

Medicaid

Sand said reversing the privatization of Medicaid will also open up more mental health providers to veterans.

Three companies manage Medicaid services in Iowa. Veterans on Medicaid get their services through Iowa Total Care, Molina Healthcare of Iowa and Wellpoint Iowa.

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Isabella Warren covers state government and politics for Gray Media-owned stations in Iowa. Email her at isabella.warren@kcrg.com; and follow her on Facebook at Isabella Warren TV on X/Twitter@isabellaw_gray, and on Instagram@IsabellaWarrenTV.