House Committee on Veterans' Affairs

News

• Current Press Releases
• 110th Congress Press Releases
• 109th Congress Press Releases

For more information, contact: Brian Lawrence (202) 225-3527

Washington, DC – Today, Ranking Member Steve Buyer of the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs secured a major victory for veterans in the Energy and Commerce Committee when his amendments to protect veterans in the House health care reform bill, H.R. 3200, were accepted by that Committee.

“This is an important day for veterans and their families,” said Buyer.  “The acceptance of my amendments protects them from provisions in the bill that would have unfairly penalized these heroes who have already given so much to this nation.”

Since the beginning of the debate on health care reform, Buyer has pressed his concerns that several provisions in the bill could have an adverse effect on veterans.  At the July 31st markup of H.R. 3200 by the House Energy and Commerce Committee he submitted six amendments to address these provisions, two of which were accepted. The accepted amendments protect VA and DoD jurisdiction over their healthcare systems and preserve veterans’ and servicemember’s choice of healthcare providers.

Notwithstanding these early victories, several other issues raised by Buyer were not addressed. The most significant was his amendment to protect veterans enrolled in VA healthcare from a possible 2.5 percent punitive income tax.

Despite harsh criticism against Buyer during August from the media and claims by the White House that veterans were protected under the health reform plan, he continued his advocacy for veterans until his amendments were accepted. Today his relentless advocacy paid off.

In a letter to Buyer on September 22nd, the Chairmen of the House Energy Commerce Committee, Ways and Means Committee, and Education and Labor Committee accepted Buyer’s remaining amendments.  [Click here to view the letter and here to view Mr. Buyer’s colloquy with Chairman Waxman]

“I want to thank the Chairmen for their willingness to work with me in accepting my amendments and seek a resolution to protect veterans,” commended Buyer.  “Credit must also be given to the many veteran service organizations that took a principled stand in supporting these amendments and I thank them for their unwavering resolve on this issue.”

They include: National Association for Uniformed Services, Paralyzed Veterans of America The American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Disabled American Veterans, AMVETS, the Wounded Warrior Project, Vietnam Veterans of America, the Military Officers Association of America, Association of the United States Army, Blinded Veterans Association, Jewish War Veterans, and the Military Order of the Purple Heart. I thank them for their unwavering resolve on this issue.

Congressman Buyer went on to say, “I extend special thanks and appreciation to Cliff Stearns of Florida and Nathan Deal of for their strong efforts to support the military, their families, and veterans.”