LaLota Hosts Leaders from Suffolk Veterans’ Community
ROCKY POINT, NY - Rep. Nick LaLota (R-Suffolk County), a Navy Veteran, held a Veterans Roundtable at the Rocky Point VFW with key stakeholders and subject-matter experts to discuss the numerous issues facing Long Island’s Veteran community.
“As a Navy veteran, I deeply appreciate everyone who joined our roundtable in Rocky Point. Hearing directly from those on the front lines of veterans' issues is crucial in tackling the challenges our service members face every day,” said LaLota. “I am fully committed to ensuring that those who served our great country receive the care and support they’ve earned. By working closely with local leaders and advocates, we can enhance the quality of care for veterans and make sure no one who wore the uniform is left behind.”
Background:
The roundtable discussed the following issues:
- Veteran mental health, including LaLota’s Joseph P. Dwyer Peer Support Program Act;
- Improving healthcare options for Veterans, including increasing VA access and LaLota’s Liver Fluke Cancer Study Act;
- Housing for Veterans, including the lack of affordable housing options and the high number of homeless Veterans including LaLota’s Supporting Veteran Families in Need Act;
- Issues at the Northport VA, including ongoing construction updates and hospital conditions, and
- State Veterans Homes issues, including the high cost of medications and the need for more specialty care.
The following individuals took part in LaLota’s Veterans Roundtable:
- Suffolk County Legislature Majority Leader and Legislator Nick Caracappa, Chairman, Veterans Committee
- Marcelle Leis, Director, Suffolk County VSA
- Tom Ronayne, Former Director, Suffolk County VSA
- Fred Sganga, Director, Long Island State Veterans Home
- Francis Amalfitano, President & CEO, United Veterans Beacon House
- Bill Hughes, Commander, Suffolk County VFW, District 11
- Kenneth Dolan, Legislative Chair, Suffolk County American Legion
- Mel Cohen, Vietnam Veterans of America
- Rich Dellasso, Economic Opportunity Council of Suffolk - Veterans Affairs
- Nancy Tappin, Joseph P. Dwyer Veterans Peer Support Project
- Joe Cognitore, Commander of the Rocky Point VFW Post 6249
- Several staff members of the House Veterans Affairs Committee
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