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November 3, 2006 (Washington, DC) With the Senate set to reconvene, the Chairman of the U.S. Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs issued the following action report on Congressional efforts on behalf of veterans. This report covers the past two years of the 109th session of Congress. Inflation for 2005, and so far in 2006, has gone up a total of 6.8 percent. It is worth noting that since 2001, while overall inflation has increased 12.9 percent, Congress has increased overall spending on veterans by 64 percent and increased spending on veterans’ health care by 70 percent. Hearings The Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs has held 52 hearings during the 109th session of Congress (2005 to 2006). Topics included reducing the backlog of veterans’ benefits claims, VA research, homelessness among veterans, the theft and recovery of VA computers, Presidential nominations, employment concerns of young veterans and, of course VA's budget. Important Bills Passed
Veterans Cost of Living Adjustment Increased 2.7 percent in 2005, 4.1 percent in 2006 and 3.3 percent for 2007 Each year Congress has approved legislation increasing the veterans cost of living adjusment (COLA) to keep pace with rates of inflation. VA's Overall Budget Up 27 Percent The total VA budget will have increased from approximately $63 billion at the end of 2004 to approximately $80 billion for 2007. That is an increase of $17 billion. VA's Health Care Budget Up By 29 Percent Spending on medical care for veterans, including collections, will have risen from $27.7 billion at the end of 2004 to approximately $35.8 billion for 2007. Mental Healthcare Funding To Go Up 30 Percent - Over $3 Billion in 2007 With new surveys finding rising concerns about Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, Congress has increased funding for treatment, increasing the budget to over $3 billion for 2007. Homelessness Funding up for Sixth Straight Year In 2006 VA will spend upward of $221 million on grants, housing and treatment of underlying conditions. In fact, the fiscal year 2007 budget for VA will support a record level of funding for the sixth straight year for targeted programs for homeless veterans. VA Healthcare Continues to Earn High Marks Reviews published in two national publications gave VA high marks for its medical care - Time Magazine ran a story entitled: "How VA Hospitals Became The Best," while Business Week ran a story which referred to VA as "The Best Medical Care In The US." SGLI and VGLI Increased to $400,000 In 2005, Congress passed and the President signed H.R. 3200 which increased coverage for both the Servicemembers' and Veterans Group Life Insurance programs. Other legislation also allows servicemembers who have been legally determined to be totally disabled when they separated from the military, to have up to two years from that date to apply for premium-free SGLI coverage and convert their coverage to VGLI or an individual plan or policy. Veterans Employment Numbers at 96.5 percent - Younger Veterans Trending Better The U.S. economy has done well in the past two years and the overall employment rate for all Americans is now at 95.6 percent. Veterans are doing even better - their employment rate is 96.5 percent. The unemployment numbers for younger veterans continue to be a concern, but their numbers are improving. In 2005 the unemployment rate for veterans 20 to 24 years old was 15.7 percent. As of October 2006, that number had improved to just over 11 percent. VA the and Department of Labor are conducting interviews of 2,000 younger veterans to explore the problems younger veterans face. Brain Injury Funds Restored Although not under the jurisdiction of the Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs, veterans should be aware that the Senate added $12 million to a defense appropriations bill to treat traumatic brain injuries. The final funding level will be determined when Congress reconvenes. Wounded Warrior Benefit Created In 2005 Chairman Craig authored, and the Senate and House passed, legislation creating a new benefit for those wounded or seriously injured since the war on terror began in 2001. So far over 2,500 servicemembers have received over $164 million - an average of $65,000 each. Benefits range from $25,000 to $100,000. Veterans' Housing and Benefits Act Becomes Law In June President Bush signed into law S. 1235, bill to to help severely injured veterans. It authorizes VA to make grants available ranging from $2,000 to $14,000. The funds assist with housing adaptations on a family member's home in which a severely disabled veteran is living. Prior to the change, severely disabled veterans had to own their homes to qualify. Promoting Dignity at Funerals of the Fallen Becomes Law A fringe group of protestors have disrupted funerals of our military heroes. Congress passed the Respect for Fallen Heroes Act which balances the rights of grieving families; the rights of private property owners who live near cemeteries; and the rights of demonstrators to have their message heard. #####
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