Walorski visits Pulaski County for 'Hoosier Veterans Tour'

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Published: Tuesday, 12 August 2014 14:34

Congresswoman stops in Winamac as part of district-wide veterans tour

WINAMAC - Congresswoman Jackie Walorski (IN-02) stopped in Winamac Monday afternoon (Aug. 11) at the Braun Corporation, the world’s largest manufacturer of wheelchair-accessible vans and wheelchair lifts, as part of the “Hoosier Veterans Tour,” a district-wide tour.

During the visit to Braun, Walorski toured the facility and saw firsthand wheelchair accessible minivans produced for disabled individuals.

Rep. Jackie Walorski (IN-02) tours the Braun Corporation in Winamac, the world’s largest manufacturer of wheelchair-accessible vans and wheelchair lifts, with Nick Gutwein, President and CEO, on Monday during her “Hoosier Veterans Tour”, a two-day district tour across northern Indiana.

“Thanks to companies like Braun, disabled riders and drivers can continue to be mobile. Their determination to ensure that drivers and their families, including veterans, can maximize their quality of life is amazing,” Walorski said.

Founded in 1972 by Ralph Braun, Braun designs and manufactures wheelchair lifts and wheelchair accessible vehicles. In addition to its Winamac headquarters, the company also has facilities located in Elkhart, Ind., Florida, Arizona and Sweden.

Walorski visited the facility during her two-day district tour in recognition of the 54,000 veterans who live in the 2nd Congressional District. Over the course of two days, Walorski, a member of the House and Senate Veterans’ Affairs Conference Committee and member of the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee, will tour VA faculties that provide care to veterans, businesses that hire veterans and companies that make products to support veterans.

“From Elkhart to Warsaw, I’m traveling to every corner of northern Indiana to see what tools our communities need to improve the lives the 54,000 veterans in my district. I’m really looking forward to the opportunity to tour local VA facilities and talk to employers that hire and make products for veterans. I’ll also have a chance to discuss the law that was signed last week that will help veterans in rural areas in need of care,” said Walorski.

Last week, President Obama signed H.R. 3230, the Veterans’ Access to Care through Choice, Accountability, and Transparency Act, which Walorski supported as a House conferee. The legislation was drafted in response to news across the country that veterans requesting doctor appointments were put on long waiting lists which resulted in many VA facilities falsifying and covering up wait times. 

The new law, which passed the House and Senate last week with overwhelming bipartisan support, gives veterans greater access to health care if they live in a rural area or must wait over 30 days to see a doctor. In addition, it provides funding for additional doctors, nurses and healthcare workers. Lastly, it gives the Secretary the authority to fire poorly performing executives, just like any other company, which is almost impossible to do under the current system.