Rep. Robyn Vining Introduces Veteran Mental Health Bill

MADISON–Rep. Robyn Vining reintroduced a veteran’s mental health bill today–part of her “Mental Healthcare Is Healthcare” bill package–alongside her colleagues Sen. Dianne Hesselbein, Sen. Jeff Smith, Rep. Christine Sinicki, Rep. Angelito Tenorio, Rep. Brienne Brown, Rep. Maureen McCarville, Rep. Ann Roe, and Rep. Karen DeSanto. LRB-1676 provides additional funding and support for the Veterans Outreach and Recovery Program (VORP) to increase access to mental health and substance use disorder prevention services to Wisconsin’s veterans. Rep. Robyn Vining (D-Wauwatosa) released the following statement:

“Veterans with mental health and substance use disorder challenges deserve help. The Veterans Outreach and Recovery Program (VORP) is run by the Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs (WDVA) and connects veterans who are struggling with challenges such as mental health, suicide, homelessness, and substance use disorder with community services and provides case management and support with a special focus on treatment and recovery.

“VORP has been successful in helping countless veterans since its creation, but the program has been limited by understaffing. After the Republican-controlled legislature failed to fund additional staffing for VORP in the 2023-2025 state budget, Governor Evers used one-time federal funding to keep the program expansion afloat, but that funding ran out as of July 1, 2025. Since no funding was included in the 2025-2027 state budget, the WDVA was forced to cut seven positions and reduce VORP’s reach from 16 regions down to 11. LRB-1676 funds these seven positions to allow VORP to continue to reach more veterans in underserved communities.

“Without funds for additional staffing, we are missing out on an important opportunity to help our veterans through these difficult times. Wisconsin’s veterans deserve legislators who advocate for their mental health and well-being, and that is what my colleagues and I are doing by introducing LRB-1676. This is a bipartisan issue, and I look forward to my Republican colleagues joining our effort to help Wisconsin’s veterans. Forward, together.”

Rep. Vining represents the 13th Assembly District, which includes Elm Grove, and parts of Wauwatosa and Brookfield. For more information visit Rep. Vining’s website here.

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.