Greg Walden supports plans to boost funding, expedite support for Oregon veterans
VIDEO RELEASE: Greg Walden supports plans to boost funding, expedite support for Oregon veterans
Click here or on the image below to watch Walden’s remarks
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Continuing his strong efforts to support Oregon’s veterans, U.S. Rep. Greg Walden (R-Hood River) supported several plans passed by Congress this week to boost funding for the Veterans Administration and expedite care so our veterans can get the help they need and deserve. Below is a transcript of his video release:
"Congress did a lot of good work this week to take care of our veterans. We have 80,000 veterans across Oregon's Second Congressional District, and we are working every day to try to make sure they get access to affordable, quality care in a timely manner. The legislation we approved increases funding to reduce the disability caseload so that we can get claims processed faster, and it improves the medical records process.
“Among other things, we passed legislation that deals with this horrible problem we have with veterans committing suicide - about 20 a day. One of these suicide hotlines was so poorly run, that up to one third of the calls never got through to a frontline worker. We're fixing that with this legislation, so when a veteran in need calls they can actually talk to a caregiver
“And we're working on other issues to make sure that your veterans’ healthcare record can be coordinated with private healthcare providers – there’s been a problem there too. We’ve got a lot more work to do, but this is a big step in a better direction for our veterans.”
The funding measure, which has passed both the House and Senate with strong bipartisan support, increases funding for the VA by $2.9 billion to help alleviate the claims backlogs and wait-times issues our veterans are facing. The funding is accompanied by increased oversight at the VA to provide accountability for the mismanagement and fraud that has plagued the agency over the past few years. The bill also provides for the modernization of the VA’s health records, and boosts funding for the VA caregivers’ program. The President signed this bill into law today.
This week, the House also passed three pieces of legislation to improve veterans’ health care options and address mismanagement problems at VA facilities. The No Veterans Crisis Line Should Go Unanswered Act (H.R. 5392) requires the VA to develop a plan to ensure that each telephone call and text message to a crisis hotline is answered by a qualified, live person so veterans are not sent to voicemail when seeking emergency care. This comes after an inspector general report revealed that, on numerous occasions, calls to VA crisis hotlines were being sent to voicemail rather than answered by a live staff member.
The VET Act (H.R. 3216) makes clear the VA’s obligation to provide emergency care for veterans seeking help, and prohibits VA facilities from transferring sick or injured veterans without their consent or clinical necessity. This bill also prevents VA facilities from delaying or denying a veteran emergency care to assess whether or not a veteran has the ability to pay.
The Vet Connect Act (H.R. 5162) – another bill passed in the House this week – would require the VA to share medical record information with private community health care providers where a veteran is receiving care. This ensures that veterans are able to seek care outside of a VA facility and that the healthcare providers have access to all necessary health records for a veteran. All three of these measures now head to the Senate.
Walden has assisted over 5,000 Oregon veterans and their families with issues involving their benefits and care. If you or a loved one needs help with the VA or any other federal agency, you can call his office toll free at 800-533-3303. Walden has a team of veterans on staff ready to assist you.
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