June 4, 2009

Subcommittee Approves Women Veterans’ Bill; Considers Support for Family Caregivers

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

Washington, D.C. – Today, the Subcommittee on Health approved a health care measure for women veterans, and then held a hearing to consider recommendations calling for Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) support for family members who provide care to disabled veterans.

H.R. 1211, as amended, the Women Veterans Health Care Improvement Act, would expand and improve health care services available to women veterans. The bill was favorably reported by voice vote to the full Committee.

“I am pleased to be a cosponsor of H.R. 1211,” said Subcommittee Ranking Member Henry Brown, Jr. “Among other provisions, this important legislation would study barriers women veterans encounter when seeking VA health care and provide graduate education, training and certification for mental health professionals who provide counseling, care, and services to women veterans suffering from sexual trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder.”

In the following hearing, Brown also expressed his support for providing assistance to family members who often make personal sacrifices in order to care for wounded warriors.

“Our men and women in uniform put their lives on the line to defend our freedom.  And when they are wounded in the line of duty, it is often the family that put their lives on hold to care for their loved one. Family caregivers are more often than not at the core of what sustains the treatment and recovery of a wounded, ill, or injured soldier.

Family caregivers may face an array of challenges such as job absences, lost income, travel and relocation costs, child care concerns, exhaustion, and emotional or psychological stress. It is vitally important to the health and well-being of our wounded warriors and their loved ones to support and preserve the critical role they provide.”

For more news from House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Republicans, please go to: 

http://republicans.veterans.house.gov/

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