Congressman Connie Mack (FL-14) expressed his support for H.R. 1538, the Wounded Warriors Assistance Act, which passed the House with overwhelming bipartisan support this afternoon. The legislation will make comprehensive improvements to medical care and related administrative procedures for troops injured in combat and other military outpatients.

“Improving our veterans’ health care programs is critically important, particularly given the number of our soldiers returning home from combat overseas. Our veterans deserve the best health care and benefits possible, and we should never falter in our promise to those who have sacrificed for our country,” said Mack.

The Wounded Warriors Assistance Act will:

• Assign a case manager to each service member and limit the number of cases assigned to each case manager;

• Create a toll-free hotline for reporting deficiencies in care or facilities;

• Establish a standardized training program for health care professionals and case managers;

• Improve transition to the Department of Veterans Affairs upon retirement or separation from the Armed Forces for service members;

• And require the Inspectors General of regional medical commands to conduct semi-annual inspections of facilities.

“The men and women who have courageously served our country and the cause of freedom deserve the best America has to offer, and my colleagues in Congress and I will continue to work to make sure that’s exactly what they get,” Mack concluded.

The legislation now awaits action in the Senate.

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