Braun hears veterans concerns, talks abortion and his political future at stop in Bedford

Frustration over excessive red tape, the travel distance for veterans seeking medical treatment and the need for improved communication to veterans exposed to hazardous chemicals during military service were some of the concerns raised at a veterans round table with U.S. Sen Mike Braun, R-Ind.

Wednesday's round table at Smokin' Jim's BBQ in Bedford was attended by more than a dozen people who brought concerns to Braun.

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Bonnie Johnson's husband Mike served seven years in the US Navy. His first year of service he was assigned to work on the USS Norton Sound, which was being decommissioned.

"He was given a paper gown, paper mask and a sawzall," she said.

He and other sailors were exposed to asbestos. He first experienced shortness of breath in 2018 and found out he was suffering from asbestos poisoning. In 2021, following a lengthy career as a police officer and trainer of police dogs, he became ill from mesothelioma and died Dec. 30, 2021.

She said when her husband sought medical care, the doctor pulled up information about the USS Norton.

"Out of the 300 plus men and women on that ship, over 250 have passed from the asbestos poisoning," she said. "Why were we not informed years before by the military because we could've caught it earlier," she said.

Veterans, she said, should be aware of the potential long-term impacts of chemical exposures.

"I would like to protect and save other people if you were on that ship and decommissioning those years," she said.

Braun said veterans who need help navigating the VA is the issue he hears the most from constituents and he acknowledged the system is far from perfect.

"We need to do better," he said. "My goal is to get VA to work in a complementary way with local care services to get basic care to veterans."

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Bob Courson who works in Lawrence County's Veterans Services office, said inefficiencies cause delays in enrollment to receive benefits and he would like to see that improved.

Lindsey Smith, who works at the VSO office in Monroe County, said his biggest complaint is how the disability review board determines veterans benefits.

"I recently went to have my disability re-evaluated. I thought it would increase from 90% to 100% and instead they told me it should be reduced to 80%," he said.

He later learned his evaluation was done by a nurse practitioner and not a physician.

"We need qualified people evaluating soldiers with disabilities," he said.

Braun also shared his thoughts on other issues facing the state and nation.

Indiana and abortion

State legislators will return for a special session July 25 to work on abortion laws following the US Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade and let states determine their own laws.

Here's what Braun, a former state legislator, had to say on the task for legislators.

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"Yes, we are a state that is pro-life. Their job is to find out what reflects the hearts and minds of Hoosiers, the majority of them, and and do something that makes sense for the state. Where it's going to end up, I trust they'll do it in a way that reflects what our sentiments are.

"I'm just thankful that we, as states, have the ability to do it. It never should've been taken away from being a state prerogative. It's taken 49 years to come back to where every state can deal with that according to what the people within their state think is the best way to go."

National debt

Braun shared with the group his concern over the growing national debt. He said when he joined the Senate in 2019, the nation's debt was $18 trillion and it's already climbed to $30 trillion. The national debt is forecast to balloon to $45 trillion in 10 years, he said.

"We don't run the federal government like we know things are supposed to work, where you can't spend more than you take in," he said. "No other place can get by with that."

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On gun laws, Braun said, "We've got to figure out how to keep guns out of the hands of those who are criminals and mentally ill."

Another term?

Not all the discussion focused on veterans issues. One of the questions posed to Braun was whether he will seek re-election.

"I am going to run again — for something," he said.

"I've heard rumors," replied Patty Ford with a laugh.

Braun said he will make a decision early next year.

"I plan on staying involved," he said.

Contact Times-Mail Staff Writer Carol Johnson at cjohnson@tmnews.com or 812-277-7252.

This article originally appeared on The Times-Mail: U.S. Senator Mike Braun hears concerns at veterans round table