Washington, Sep 26 -  U.S. Representative Katherine Harris (R-FL) today introduced a bill to expand healthcare benefits for our nation’s military veterans in areas where more coverage is needed. The "Support Comprehensive Healthcare for Veterans Act of 2006" will provide more benefits not currently available for immediate and long-term healthcare needs.

"Our nation’s veterans are heroes," said Harris. "They deserve the most comprehensive healthcare benefits for the sacrifices they have made in the course of ensuring our basic freedoms".

According to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), there are approximately 24.7 million veterans in the United States. In 2004, more than 5 million people were treated in VA healthcare facilities – 1.8 million veterans in Florida alone.

Some areas expanded in the "Support Comprehensive Healthcare for Veterans Act of 2006" are:

• Reimbursement to veterans for emergency care from non-VA medical facilities;
• Hiring additional specialists to provide care for blind veterans;
• Increased mental health care services;
• Provide medical care to infants born in VA hospitals;
• Improved services for homeless veterans;
• Allow veterans affected by Hurricane Katrina to obtain medical care from VA without co-payment or third party reimbursement obligations.
  
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