Boston City Councilor Ed Flynn filed a hearing order to discuss the impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic on our city’s veterans and military families. Councilor Flynn aims to discuss how we can ensure access to services for our veterans and military families during this pandemic, and identify any gaps in services for our veteran community as we prepare for similar events in the future.
The COVID-19 pandemic has affected millions worldwide, and governments and institutions have placed restrictions on travel and closed facilities in order to prevent the spread of the virus. With these restrictions and closings, many veterans and military families see the services that they need being disrupted. Moreover, veterans rely on the Veterans Health Administration (VA) hospitals for their care, which might not be the closest hospital to a veteran if they need urgent care. We also need to ensure that as testing expands and that our veterans are able to access those tests if they visit VA hospitals. For veterans who have challenges with travel due to disabilities or age, we need to think about ways to ensure that our elderly and disabled veterans are able to access food if there are travel restrictions.
“Veterans and military families have proudly served our country and earned their benefits and our respect,” said Councilor Flynn. “Many of our veterans are elderly and disabled, and during this pandemic, it is important to ensure that they are able to receive services and benefits that they are entitled to. I look forward to this discussion and hearing from our veterans & military families, along with service providers, about the impact of the coronavirus crisis on our community so that we may address any areas for improvement in the delivery of services.”
For more information, please contact Councilor Flynn’s office at 617-635-3203 and Ed.Flynn@Boston.gov.
