Working to Ensure Access to Health Care for Rural Veterans

Op-Ed

Working To Ensure Access to Health Care For Rural Veterans

Ensuring access to affordable quality health care for our veterans has always been a priority of mine. Those who have answered the call of our nation to defend democracy and defeat tyranny deserve the very best our government can provide.

That is why I am a cosponsor of H.R. 1527, The Rural Veterans Access to Care Act, sponsored by Congressman Jerry Moran (R-KS). This legislation allows a "highly rural" veteran who is a patient enrolled in the VA system to elect to receive covered health services through a non-VA health care provider.

I am pleased to report this legislation was passed by the Committee on Veterans' Affairs last Wednesday. My hope is that the House leadership will quickly bring this to the floor to a vote, and I will urge my colleagues to support this critical legislation.

To qualify as a "highly rural" veteran, the following definition is provided by H.R. 1527- a veteran who resides more than 60 miles from the nearest VA facility providing primary care services and more than 120 miles from a VA facility providing acute hospital care, or more than 240 miles from a VA facility providing highly specialized medical care. Additionally, hardships or other difficulties in travel to the nearest appropriate VA facility, where the travel is not in the best interest of the veteran, would qualify an individual as a "highly rural" veteran.

Care for our veterans is a promise we must fulfill and assisting those in rural America, such is in the expansive 19th District of Texas, is critical.

My Discussion With Treasury Secretary, Henry Paulson

With much uncertainty surrounding the financial markets, specifically the housing market, I spoke with the Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson on Friday, to assess the situation and discuss in further detail his thoughts to help achieve stability.

The bulk of our conversation was about Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, and how important they are to the housing market. After a 30 year career as a lender and a homebuilder, I understand the importance of market stability and how it helps individuals realize the dream of owning their own home. Secretary Paulson believes the Treasury Department is taking steps to provide a bridge of confidence for the markets until they return to operating in a more stable manner.

While I believe the role of the federal government should be as minimal as possible, I also feel that it is important we work to find solutions to calm the current turbulence in the market. However, that should not mean increased government regulation or putting taxpayers at risk.

Early next week, I am scheduled to meet with the Federal Reserve Chairman, Ben Bernanke, to discuss the situation further. I look forward to the continued open dialogue with him and others, in hopes that Congress and the federal government can find pragmatic and sound solutions to these problems that do not pick winners or losers.

Currently the Federal Reserve and the U.S. Treasury Department are walking a very fine line in some uncharted waters.

Stimulus Checks - REMINDER

As the last of the economic stimulus checks are being mailed out, I want to remind folks that they may not receive their check if they have not filed the proper form with the IRS. The vast majority of Americans who qualify for the payment only had to file their 2007 individual income tax return to receive their payment this year, and most of those payments have been sent out.

However, if you are not normally required to file an income tax return because your income is low or you only receive Social Security or veterans' benefit income, you must file a 2007 tax return to be eligible for a stimulus payment.

The IRS has a simplified form for those who are not normally required to file a tax return. Please visit www.irs.gov to find detailed assistance dealing with your specific financial circumstances. You can also contact local IRS offices in Lubbock (806-472-7582) and Abilene (325-676-5709) for assistance. Additionally, you can always call my district office toll free at (888) 763-1611 for guidance.

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