BOSTON, Mass. (WWLP) – Governor Healey testified Tuesday before the Joint Committee on Veterans and Federal Affairs on why the HERO Act should become law. Healey sponsored the bill.
It is the most comprehensive piece of legislation to help veterans introduced in the state in at least 20 years which will take on a slew of needs and concerns facing veterans in the Commonwealth.
Navy SEAL presumed dead off Somalia coast was on swim team for Westfield High and UMass Amherst
Senator John Velis of Westfield chaired the hearing and started with a moment of silence for fallen Navy Seal Christopher Chambers. The governor also touched on the heroism of Chambers as she testified on the bill.
The bill is a comprehensive package that includes 17 spending, policy and tax initiatives and it is aimed at benefiting the welfare of all veterans. Among those initiatives, there is specific support for women, those with disabilities and the LGBTQ+ community. For example, Healey’s bill would create a pilot program for IVF reimbursements for the LGBTQ+ veterans.