June 23, 2009

Bill Cosponsored by Luján will Provide Advance VA Funding

Washington, DC – Today, the House of Representatives passed two key pieces of veterans legislation, including the Veterans Health Care Budget Reform and Transparency Act (H.R. 1016), which Congressman Ben Ray Luján cosponsored. The Veterans Health Care Budget Reform and Transparency Act authorizes Congress to approve advanced investments for the Department of Veterans Affairs, providing them with the time to plan how to deliver the best care. The House also passed the Women Veterans Health Care Improvement Act (H.R. 1211), which will expand and improve VA health services for female veterans. Rep. Luján voted in favor of both pieces of legislation.

“The men and women who have served our country honorably and bravely deserve the best care when they return home,” said Rep. Luján. “Providing advanced funding for the VA will help them deliver health services to our veterans on a consistent basis. I’m proud to cosponsor this bill which will help our veterans get the services they have earned and deserve.”

The Veterans Health Care Budget Reform and Transparency Act has the support of many veterans organizations, including the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, AMVETS, Disabled American Veterans, and the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America.

The Women Veterans Health Care Improvement Act expands and improves the health care services to women veterans and makes those services more accessible. There are over 1.8 million female veterans who have served our country.

“The women of our Armed Forces deserve the highest level of care after returning from service,” said Rep. Luján. “This bill will improve health services available to female veterans and make these services more accessible.”