Paul Renner pitches new ideas to strengthen Florida’s support for veterans

Former House Speaker and current gubernatorial candidate Paul Renner is addressing the concerns of veterans who served the country in uniform and seeking input on their most pressing needs.

On Wednesday evening, the Palm Coast Republican and Gulf War veteran hosted an event in Orlando to explore how Florida can improve its support for veterans.

“I believe we’re the most veteran-friendly state in America,” Renner stated, “but there’s always room for improvement.”

The event focused on strategies to enhance the state’s environment for veterans, ensuring it remains a desirable place for them to live and retire.

Participants were vocal about their experiences. Discussions on the Veterans Affairs revealed that many veterans are “struggling with challenges,” and panelists suggested the state could play a role in the mission to “heal our veterans.”

“I want to make sure that we’re not leaving anybody in the gap,” Renner emphasized.

The conversation also touched on veterans facing mental illness and substance dependency.

While federal assistance exists for some conditions through inpatient and outpatient care, certain substances remain excluded from coverage.

One proposal was for Florida to fund treatment for these uncovered substances.

Additionally, alternative therapies, such as virtual reality, were suggested as innovative ways to help returning soldiers address the root causes of their substance abuse.

“If it works, why aren’t we embracing it?” Renner questioned, highlighting that many individuals dealing with trauma turn to drugs to “mask the problem.”

This issue extends beyond veterans, affecting others in society as well.

Renner also mentioned the need to address health care in a post-Affordable Care Act landscape, advocating for a more Florida-centric approach that prioritizes patient choice and offers “better, faster, cheaper” health care solutions.