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TWO BILLS INTRODUCED TO EXTEND VA HEALTHCARE
FOR
RETURNING TROOPS -- Sen. Akaka and Rep. Filner
want to
extend post-deployment VA benefits from two
years
to five years. VA opposes change. And,
how will it be funded?
Two bills have been introduced to extend
VA healthcare benefits for post-deployment military personnel.
The current benefit limits them to two
years use of the VA unless they get rated with a service-connected
disability. The new legislation would give five years instead of
two.
H.R.612 was introduced Rep. Bob Filner
(D-CA), Chairman of the House Committee on Veteran's Affairs.
S.383 was introduced by Sen. Daniel Akaka (D-HI), Chairman of the Senate
Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
In theory, this is a very good move for
new veterans.
In reality, it presents a host of
problems.
Basically, how will this be paid for?
How can the VA handle these veterans for
a longer period of time when they are already underfunded and
understaffed?
In the past, the VA, the Bush
administration and Republican lawmakers have opposed the change.
They claimed two years was adequate. The real reason was the cost.
It's time for Akaka and Filner to do a
big reality-check.
Without more funding, this legislation is
meaningless...and if passed (and not vetoed by the President) will only end up causing longer waiting
lists for all veterans.
Below is the language of H.R.612 from
Thomas.gov. S.383 had not been posted yet, but below is a press
release from Sen. Akaka. Find that release here...
http://www.vawatchdog.org/07/scva07/scva012507-1.htm
---------------
Returning Servicemember VA Healthcare Insurance Act of 2007 (Introduced
in House)
HR 612 IH
110th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 612
To amend title 38, United States Code, to extend the period of
eligibility for health care for combat service in the Persian Gulf War
or future hostilities from two years to five years after discharge or
release.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
January 22, 2007
Mr. FILNER introduced the following bill; which was referred to the
Committee on Veterans' Affairs
A BILL
To amend title 38, United States Code, to extend the period of
eligibility for health care for combat service in the Persian Gulf War
or future hostilities from two years to five years after discharge or
release.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United
States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the `Returning Servicemember VA Healthcare
Insurance Act of 2007'.
SEC. 2. EXTENSION OF PERIOD OF ELIGIBILITY FOR HEALTH CARE FOR COMBAT
SERVICE IN THE PERSIAN GULF WAR OR FUTURE HOSTILITIES.
Section 1710(e)(3)(C) of title 38, United States Code, is amended by
striking `2 years' and inserting `5 years'.
----------------------------------------------------
DEMOCRATIC
PRESS RELEASE
January 25, 2007
AKAKA INTRODUCES BILL TO EXTEND HEALTH CARE FOR
RETURNING TROOPS
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Daniel K. Akaka (D-HI) yesterday
introduced legislation that would make veterans returning from active
duty eligible for VA health care for five years after their separation
from active duty. Under current law, servicemembers have unfettered
access to the VA health care for only two years upon their return, if
they are not service-connected for a disability. Senator John D.
Rockefeller IV (D-WV) has signed on as a cosponsor to this legislation.
The “Returning Servicemember Health Care Access Act” will extend VA
health care benefits to military personnel returning from active duty
and moving to veteran status, giving our servicemen and women the best
health care available during their transition. Many experts predict that
up to 30 percent of servicemembers returning from combat will need some
form of psychiatric care upon their return.
Senator Akaka said: “With regard to mental health in particular, two
years is often insufficient time for symptoms of Post Traumatic Stress
Disorder (PTSD) and other mental illnesses to appear. Five years would
provide a larger, more appropriate window in which to address these
problems. We face a growing group of recently discharged veterans and
returning National Guard and Reservists who have faced combat, and this
legislation will help smooth their transition to civilian life.
“In Hawaii alone, over 3,500 National Guard and Reservists have been
deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan, and it is our responsibility as a
nation to provide for their healthy return to civilian life,” Senator
Akaka said.
In Hawaii, 25-30 percent of veterans receive mental health services from
the Hawaii VA. Over one-third of these patients are diagnosed with PTSD.
The legislation Senator Akaka introduced today will help the 315,600
veterans nationwide who have been inactive for more than two years but
fewer than five. And it will continue to will help thousands of new
veterans in the future.
Senator Akaka is the Chairman of the Veterans’ Affairs Committee.
---------------
Larry Scott
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