Welch supports House Veterans Health Care Improvement Act PDF Print E-mail
Sunday, 29 July 2007 19:00

Continues legislative advocacy for veterans and servicemembers

Washington, DC - The U.S. House is scheduled this evening to pass the Veterans Health Care Improvement Act, co-sponsored by Rep. Peter Welch, which continues reforms to improve the care given to veterans and servicemembers serving in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The bill is expected to pass by voice vote.

H.R. 2874 establishes several new programs to assist servicemembers transition to civilian life and to provide health care and other assistance to rural and low-income veterans.

Just last week, the President's Commission on Care for America's Returning Wounded Warriors issued recommendations to improve the delivery of veteran care following reports of unacceptable treatment of outpatients at Walter Reed Army Medical Center this winter.

Welch, who led the call for congressional hearings at Walter Reed, said the Commission's recommendations are "just the starting point in acknowledging the moral obligation we have to care for our returning veterans."

"This legislation is one more step toward assuring that our veterans have the care they need and deserve. This spring, the House passed the Wounded Warrior Assistance Act of 2007. In June, the House passed the largest increase in funding for veterans in our nation's history. And we continue today to fulfill our commitment to those serving our country," said Welch.

The Veterans Health Care Improvement Act:

  • Improves mental health services for Iraq veterans by requiring the Veterans Affairs Department to develop programs and partner with community mental health centers to provide enhanced outreach, readjustment, and mental health services to veterans of operations in Iraq and Afghanistan;
  • Expands transportation grants for rural veterans by authorizing $3 million for a grant program to provide innovative transportation options to rural veterans;
  • Enhances therapy for transitioning veterans by making grants available to conduct programs shown to assist in therapeutic readjustment and rehabilitation of veterans;
  • Improves housing for veterans by authorizing $25 million to provide financial assistance to programs that provide services for low-income veteran families and requires that rural areas receive a share of the assistance.

The House has also passed the Wounded Warrior Assistance Act of 2007 (H.R. 1538); The Traumatic Brain Injury Health Enhancement and Long-Term Support Act of 2007 (H.R. 2199), which incorporated language from Welch's mobile veterans center bill (H.R. 2226); Returning Servicemember VA Healthcare Insurance Act (H.R. 612); and the Veterans Outreach Improvement Act (H.R. 67), among others.

 
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