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| Wilson Cosponsors Bill to Expand Benefits to More Former POWs |
April 08, 2004 |
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Albuquerque – Congresswoman Heather Wilson today joined other veterans to honor former Prisoners of War at a recognition ceremony.
“These soldiers showed a special courage and strength to survive their ordeal,” Wilson said. “Your service and sacrifice for your country is not forgotten.”
Wilson, a member of the House Armed Services Committee, continues to work to expand benefits for POWs who have recurring illness or disease that can be traced back to their time as POWs. Wilson is a co-sponsor of the Prisoner of War Benefits Act of 2003 that amends federal benefits provisions.
Bataan survivor Agapito “Gap” Silva, a New Mexico native, spent three years in harsh captivity during World War II. Silva and other veterans support a change to address lingering medical conditions that result from mistreatment and abuse, but are not currently officially attributed to their years of captivity.
“Many of these men faced rough treatment that caused health problems, and they should have help with that,” Silva said. “I appreciate Congresswoman Wilson’s work on this.”
Wilson also supports extending POW status to former prisoners of war who were detained by hostile forces for less than 30 days – a step that would include POWs from Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Army Spc. Joseph Hudson of Alamagordo, captured on March 23, 2003, was held by Iraqi forces for fewer than 30 days. The Prisoner of War Benefits Act would allow all surviving POWs with related health needs, regardless of duration of captivity, to apply for those benefits.
The Prisoner of War Benefits Act would make the following changes:
Eliminate the current 30-day minimum period of internment prior to the presumption of service connection for certain listed diseases, and for purposes of the payment of veterans` disability compensation.
Eliminate the 90-day minimum period of internment prior to eligibility for dental care furnished through the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Add POW-related health problems that currently do not qualify for coverage, including heart disease, stroke, liver disease, diabetes (type 2), and osteoporosis, upon the recommendation of the Advisory Committee on Former Prisoners of War.
With Wilson’s support last year, the federal commitment to veterans’ health care increased by 12 percent to $28 billion – an increase of $2.8 billion in one year.
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