Veterans

Mica's Veteran Record:

"Congressman Mica’s work in Congress to improve benefits, medical care and veteran’s preference has earned him recognition by nearly every national veteran’s and armed services organization including, the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States (VFW), Vietnam Veterans of America, the Blinded Veterans Foundation, the National Military Family Association and many others." 

Working for Our Veterans:

My current efforts in Congress to assist our veterans are detailed in many of the projects and activities below:

Congress Acts on Veteran's Care

This year, Congress passed several significant veterans measures, including a long term Veteran Choice Act, which authorizes the VA to work with certified medical foster homes to pay for long-term care. This legislation also limits the amount of awards and bonuses paid to employees of the VA until Veterans care issues are addressed.  The House passed the Department of Veterans Affairs Budget Planning Reform Act, which reforms the manner in which the VA determines, plans for and delivers health care benefits and services by improving the assessment of needs procedures and undertakes realignment of resources.  Congress also enacted the Hire More Heroes Act to make it easier for small businesses to hire veterans without falling subject to arbitrary employment requirements set by the President’s healthcare law.  Also signed into law was the Clay Hunt Suicide Prevention for American Veterans Act that addresses the startling and unacceptable number of our veterans who take their own lives after returning home.

Lake Baldwin VA Clinic:

As you know, I secured a decision by VA Secretary Robert McDonald to keep the facility open as a resource and convenience for veterans who live north of the Lake Nona facility.  Veterans will be pleased to know that in addition to pharmacy services, four primary care teams consisting of radiology, audiology, optometry and mental health will remain at Lake Baldwin.  Working with local and State officials, the 60-bed domiciliary unit has the potential to be used to help overcome the shortage of medical treatment beds and facilities in Central Florida.  With vacant nursing care beds, it will be possible to add additional long-term care capacity.  The VA and the State of Florida are examining the feasibility of operating a nursing home at the Lake Baldwin site.

Orange City VA Clinic:

Having visited the Orange City VA Clinic a number of times in the past year, I have observed the caseloads and facility requirements are inadequate to meet the growing veteran population in SW Volusia County.  Our region is experiencing significant growth and the Orange City VA Clinic no longer has the capacity, parking or facility space to meet current and future needs.  I am working with VA officials who have recently submitted a plan to expand the clinic that will include additional parking and clinical space.  Already having passed the first stage of approval, I received a positive response during my meeting with VA Secretary Robert McDonald regarding the proposal.  I am confident that we can develop a plan to expand the facility to ensure that our veterans continue to receive quality care on a timely basis.

VA Backlog:

As you may know, Congress recently passed its first budget in six years.  Veterans and the military now have a financial framework and Congress can proceed with responsible funding.  Recently the House passed its Military Construction/Veterans Administration Appropriations Bill.  In the bill, the Veterans accounts fared extremely well over last year’s funding levels while many other agencies saw reductions.  This bill not only funds veterans’ services, it also holds the VA bureaucracy accountable for its failures to deliver the timely service that our nation’s veterans deserve.  This plan increases VA resources which provide for this treatment by $4.6 billion, and 770 new staff to tackle the claims backlog.  And at a time when Congress and Americans are demanding VA reform, this plan requires accountability changes in procedures for VA construction projects and restricts the VA from taking certain spending actions without notifying Congress.  

Veterans Preference:

During my tenure as Chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, I authored the FAA Reauthorization bill which was signed into law.  In the bill, I included a provision that- Gives veterans preference requirements for contracts involving labor on Airport Improvement Projects (AIP) and requires as well that preference be given to the use of small business concerns owned and controlled by disabled veterans.

Homeless Veterans:

A serious national issue is the problem of homeless vets.  In one of our Central Florida counties, over 25% of the homeless population are veterans.  I have been working to expand services for homeless veterans in our community. I am pleased that homeless veterans in our area will has new care facilities at Lake Nona, including additional long term care facilities and expanded services which are now open and being utilized.  Significant VA underwriting for housing and meals have also been secured.

Central Florida Veterans Memorial at Lake Nona:

I was honored to participate in the groundbreaking ceremony for the Central Florida Veterans Memorial located adjacent to the new VA Medical Center in Orlando.  This memorial is dedicated to all of the Central Florida veterans who answered our country’s call to duty and never returned home.

Below are a few of my Northeast Florida efforts to assist our veterans

County Clyde E. Lassen Veterans Nursing Home:

I was pleased to work with the State of Florida Department of Veterans Affairs and the VA to build the Clyde E. Lassen State Veterans’ Nursing Home in St. Johns County.  As a long term care medical center, this is the first VA nursing facility of its’ kind in Northeast Florida and was designed with state of the art improvements to accommodate Alzheimer and Dementia patients.

Emory L. Bennett State Veterans’ Nursing Home:

Updating and supporting the Emory L. Bennett State Veterans’ Nursing Home has been another priority of mine. This 120-bed facility is located at 1920 Mason Avenue in Daytona Beach and can be reached by phone at (386) 274-3460.

Putnam County Community Based Outpatient Clinic:

The Putnam Clinic serves an estimated 10,000 veterans, taking pressure off of the Volusia Clinic. The clinic provides our veterans with examinations, basic diagnostic work-up and ongoing management of their diseases, illnesses and medical conditions.