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| Wilson Introduces Legislation to Aid American Indian Veterans |
November 05, 2007 |
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Bill will assist VA hospitals in treating Native Americans
Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Heather Wilson today introduced the Native American Veterans Language Assistance Act of 2007, a bill to assist VA hospitals and clinics that treat a large number of Native American patients.
The bill would require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to carry out a program to make competitive grants to any VA medical facility that treats a high number of Native American Veterans. The grants, up to $100,000 each, would provide interpreters or other language resources to improve access to, delivery of, and follow-up for medical services provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs.
“I am concerned that Indian veterans are not receiving adequate assistance and support for their care at our VA hospitals. This bill will provide help to those hospitals that treat high numbers of Indians,” said Wilson. “By providing our VA hospitals with funding for language programs and outreach, we can better communicate to these veterans about what services and benefits are available to them and make sure they are getting the care and support they need.”
“This is a very progressive and absolutely necessary piece of legislation. I represent the New Mexico Native American Veterans Association because these warriors are my relatives, our brothers and sisters, aunts and uncles. Cultural and language barriers remain serious obstacles to the successful access of veterans’ services in New Mexico. The Native American Veterans of New Mexico are looking forward to assuring the successful implementation of the solution being championed by Congresswoman Heather Wilson,” said Chico Gallegos of the New Mexico Veterans Association.
American Indians served in the War of 1812, the Civil War, and the Spanish-American War. During World War I, 12,000 American Indians served in the United States Military and in World War II, more than 44,000 served their country in both the European and Pacific fronts. American Indians have also fought in the Korean conflict, Vietnam War, Persian Gulf War, Operation Iraqi Freedom, and Operation Enduring Freedom.
There are an estimated 195,871 Native American Veterans in the United States.
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