Untitled Document

News Release
Congressman Bob Etheridge
North Carolina

September 15, 2003

Contact: Sara Lang
Phone: (202) 225-4531

Etheridge, Military Veterans in Congress Urge President to Provide Troops Benefits

WASHINGTON - U.S. Rep. Bob Etheridge (D-Lillington) and several of his fellow military veterans in Congress this week urged President Bush to provide fair pay, good health benefits and a secure retirement for those who serve in the military. Etheridge and his colleagues wrote to the President encouraging him to support concurrent receipt for disabled veterans, additional funding for VA hospitals and access to military health care for members of the National Guard and Reserves.

"Our men and women in uniform are serving with honor around the globe to protect our nation's freedom. They deserve to know not only that their country appreciates their service and their sacrifice, but that they and their families will be taken care of now and in the future," Etheridge said. "I can support the President's request for funds to help the military get the job done in Iraq, but I want to make sure that our troops and veterans don't pay the price."

In the letter, Etheridge calls on the President to support concurrent receipt. Currently, disabled veterans who are also military retirees have their disability payments docked by the amount of their retirement. Etheridge supports legislation that would correct this flaw and is one of 202 signers of a discharge petition that, with 16 more signatures, would force a vote on this important legislation.

Etheridge and his colleagues also ask the President to support increasing funding for the Veterans' Administration by $1.8 billion and withdraw his proposals to increase premiums and prescription drug copayments for veterans seeking to access health care. Nearly 200,000 veterans have been waiting six months or more for an appointment at VA hospitals. Additional funding would help give more veterans access to affordable health care.