Rep. Peter Welch supported and the House passed this week three bills designed to help veterans make ends meet and obtain the health care they need.

The legislation includes a cost-of-living increase for veterans' disability benefits, job training and counseling services for homeless veterans, and reimbursement of emergency medical expenses for veterans receiving treatment at non-Veterans Administration facilities.

"The cost of war must include the cost of caring for the warrior," Welch said. "By providing veterans disability benefits, job training and emergency services, we are simply treating those who have ably served our country with the respect they deserve."

The bills include H.R. 1513, the Veterans' Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act; H.R. 1171, the Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program Reauthorization Act; and H.R. 1377, the Veterans' Emergency Care Reimbursement Act.