Representative Attends Discussion of VA Health Care System, Urges House to Pass Legislation
Grayson Statement on Florida Delegation’s Veterans Affairs Meeting
Representative Attends Discussion of VA Health Care System, Urges House to Pass Legislation
(WASHINGTON, D.C.) – Congressman Alan Grayson (FL-09) attended the Florida congressional delegation meeting this morning to discuss the VA health care system. The meeting provided Members of Congress with the opportunity to discuss the matter with representatives of the VA Sunshine Health Care Network, the Florida Department of the Korean War Veterans Association, the Veterans of Foreign Wars Florida Department, and the National Organization of Veterans’ Advocates.
Grayson said the bipartisan meeting provided a valuable opportunity to discuss the unique challenges facing veterans in Florida, and offered a statement afterwards:
“Florida is home to one of the largest veterans populations in the nation, and I frequently hear from constituents who are not receiving the care that they have earned and deserve. Difficulty with the VA is one of the top constituent casework issues brought to my office. It is one of the first issues I am asked about when I host district events or telephone town halls. I've met with many veterans in Central Florida. I have had the honor of listening to their stories of heroism and service. I have been privileged enough to witness their profound commitment to their country. But I've also been appalled to hear that for many of these brave servicemen and servicewomen, one of the most difficult challenges that they've faced was obtaining their VA benefits when they returned home. Two or more years is an unacceptable wait for these men and women. Our veterans deserve first-class care, both in the field of battle, and at home. Now that the Senate has passed legislation to increase veterans’ access to health care and increase accountability at the VA, it is time for the House to do the same.”
Grayson has worked diligently to ensure that our nation’s veterans and servicemembers receive the care they deserve. He has fought to end the construction delays of the highly-anticipated VA medical center in Orlando, which will serve tens of thousands of veterans when it opens. Grayson called for removal of the contractor responsible for the delays and passed legislation to prevent the contractor from working on military or VA construction projects in the future. “My constituents, who bravely fought for their country, are still waiting for this facility to open,” Grayson said. “Our veterans are counting on a completed facility that will provide the services that they deserve. There is no excuse for a delay like this. It’s appalling.”
Last year, Grayson passed an amendment to increase funding for research of Gulf War illness by 50%, which affects more than one-third of the nation’s veterans who served in the first Gulf War. He’s also co-sponsored bills to help disabled veterans receive better benefits and find jobs when they return home, led the fight against the so-called "chained cost-of-living-adjustment" proposal that would have cut benefits earned by veterans and senior citizens, and passed legislation ensuring equal treatment of Puerto Rico's veterans under a bill that establishes the Commission on Service to the Nation.
Grayson also introduced a bill (H.R. 821) to protect surviving spouses of soldiers killed in action from losing their homes. Grayson's legislation protecting surviving spouses from foreclosure passed the House of Representatives last year, as part of a larger bill.
Congressman Alan Grayson represents Florida’s 9th Congressional District, which includes Osceola County, as well as parts of Orange and Polk counties. He previously served as the U.S. Representative for Florida's 8th Congressional District in the 111th Congress.
