PHOENIX - U.S. Rep. Harry E. Mitchell today commemorated the passage of his bipartisan bill earlier this year, the Medal of Honor Health Care Equity Act, H.R. 1197, by presenting Medal of Honor recipient Fred Ferguson -- a U.S. Army Veteran and hero of the Vietnam War -- with his VA benefits card. The ceremony was part of the VA's Veterans Day Parade 2010 Grand Marshals introductions and opening of educational displays at the Carl T. Hayden VA Medical Center in Phoenix.

The Medal of Honor Health Care Equity Act was included within S. 1963, the Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act of 2009.  Mitchell's bill assigned priority status for Medal of Honor recipients equal to that of former prisoners of war or Purple Heart recipients, with respect to the provision of veterans' hospital care and medical services provided through the Department of Veterans Affairs.  This issue was brought to Mitchell's attention by Ferguson and Carl T. Hayden VA Medical center officials, including Paula Pedene.

"The Medal of Honor is the military's highest decoration," said Mitchell, who serves as Chairman of the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations.  "We have a duty to ensure that each of these heroes, as well as future Medal of Honor recipients, have access to the VA when they need it."

Earlier this year, President Obama signed S. 1963 into law.  The legislation will provide support to family - as well as others who care for disabled, ill, or injured veterans - while enhancing health services for 1.8 million women veterans.  The bill will also expand mental health services for veterans and health care access for veterans in rural areas, and prohibit copayments for veterans who are catastrophically disabled.

Ferguson, a helicopter pilot, received the Medal of Honor for his valor during the battle of Hue during the Tet Offensive in 1968, when he braved heavy enemy fire to rescue a squad of wounded American soldiers trapped behind enemy lines.

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