HOUSE PASSES JOSHUA OMVIG VETERANS SUICIDE PREVENTION ACT AND THE VETERANS VISION EQUITY ACT

Washington, Mar 21, 2007 - “Joshua Omvig bravely served our nation in Iraq,” said Rep. Cliff Stearns (R-Ocala).  “After returning home from combat, this Army reserve soldier killed himself three days before Christmas.  As a veteran and a long-time member of the House Veteran Affairs Committee, I understand the severe pressures of military service.  I am proud to join the House in approving H.R. 327, the Joshua Omvig Veterans Suicide Prevention Act.”  H.R. 327 directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to develop and implement a comprehensive program to reduce the incidence of suicide among veterans, would make available 24-hour mental health care for veterans found to be at risk, and develop an outreach and education program for veterans and their families to recognize readjustment problems and promote mental health.

The House today also approved H.R. 797, the Veterans Vision Equity Act.  Explained Stearns, “Veterans who lose vision in one eye due to service-connected injury receive no additional veterans compensation if they lose vision in the other eye.  This measure corrects this inequity.”  H.R. 797 amends title 38, United States Code, to improve compensation benefits for veterans in certain cases of impairment of vision involving both eyes.