HOUSE COMMITTEE ON VETERANS' AFFAIRS DEMOCRATIC NEWS from Larry Scott at VA Watchdog dot Org -- 07-13-2005

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 13, 2005

HOUSE APPROVES VETERANS’ COMPENSATION COST-OF-LIVING INCREASE AND PERMANENTLY AUTHORIZES PARKINSON’S DISEASE CENTERS

Washington, D.C. – The U.S. House of Representatives today passed H.R. 1220, the Veterans’ Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2005.  The amount of the increase will not be known until October, but will be the same as the percentage used to compute increases in Social Security benefits.  This increase will affect over three million veterans, survivors and dependents who draw monthly compensation benefits based on service connected disabilities.

In addition to increasing the rates of veterans’ compensation benefits to keep up with the rising cost of living, the bill also included a provision introduced by Rep. Lane Evans (D-IL), ranking Democratic member on the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee, to permanently authorize the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (VA) Parkinson’s disease centers.

“I am very pleased the House passed this bill that will help our nation’s servicemembers, veterans and military families,” said Evans.  “In particular, I am very proud it includes a provision to permanently establish six Parkinson’s disease centers of excellence that are on the cutting edge of  research in the effort to find a cure for this chronic disease,” Evans added.

“VA treats some 42,000 veterans who have Parkinson’s disease.  As the veteran population ages, the impact of this chronic disease will increase.  Within five years, some 39,000 older veterans will have Parkinson’s.  The centers offer state-of-the-art treatment and their research will hopefully lead to a cure for all who have Parkinson’s— veterans and non-veterans alike.  I am proud to support the VA’s efforts,” said Evans.

The House passed the bill by voice vote, and it now awaits Senate action.

Larry Scott