Issue Position: Veterans

Issue Position

Servicemen and women are our country's greatest heroes. These Americans are the most selfless among us and the most willing to sacrifice. Rep. Slaughter believes we must ensure that these men and women receive the care and benefits that they have earned, especially as new veterans return home from missions in Afghanistan and Iraq.

This is why Rep. Slaughter has made it her number one priority to build a 21st Century Veterans Administration that provides veterans with the care they need in an efficient and timely manner, and why she worked to provide funding for a post-9/11 GI bill that gave a major boost to our returning troops and their families who want to pursue a higher education.

Last Congress, Rep. Slaughter proudly joined the Democratic Majority in passing the largest funding increase for veterans' health care in the 77-year history of the Veterans Administration (VA). Rep. Slaughter also joined the fight to launch a new GI Bill for a full, four-year education, to make the heroes of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan an important part of America's economic recovery.

Rep. Slaughter is a major supporter of the efforts of the 111th Congress to continue their historic commitment to our nation's veterans. She was proud to support the fiscal year 2010 budget resolution which provides a $5.5 billion, or 11.5 percent, increase over last year's funding level for veterans' health care and other services.

Rep. Slaughter joined her colleagues in passing the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, the first major step to rebuild our country's economy, while also honoring our veterans. The recovery bill provides a $1.4 billion increase for the VA for maintenance at medical facilities, construction of veterans' extended care facilities, and veteran cemetery repairs. The bill also provides economic stimulus payments of $250 to disabled veterans receiving VA compensation or pension.

Rep. Slaughter honored America's veterans and urged her colleagues to support landmark legislation that provides support to wounded men and women veterans when she voted for S.1963, The Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act, which passed in the House of Representatives by a vote of 419-0 on April 21, 2010. This landmark legislation would provide support to family and others who care for disabled, ill, or injured veterans; enhance health services for the 1.8 million women veterans, including care for newborns for the 1st time in history; expand mental health services for veterans and health care access for veterans in rural areas; and prohibit copayments for veterans who are catastrophically disabled.

In the first several months of the 111th Congress, Rep. Slaughter proudly voted for three more important bills to improve benefits and services to veterans:

Currently, veterans are not reimbursed for medical costs when they receive emergency care from non-VA medical facilities if they have insurance that pays either full or a portion of the emergency care. In effect, veterans with third-party insurance are penalized and required to pay the remaining amount not covered by insurance. The Emergency Care Eligibility Expansion Act clarifies the reimbursement responsibilities of the VA, so our veterans can focus on their recovery, instead of financial concerns.

In one of the most important bills Congress passes each year, Rep. Slaughter voted for a cost-of-living adjustment for veterans, guaranteeing that those who have sacrificed so much for this country receive benefits and services that keep pace with inflation and their needs.

Lastly, the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act, which Rep. Slaughter strongly supports, encourages a renewed spirit of national service and community volunteerism by establishing a Veterans Corp program designed to help veterans meet the needs of their fellow service members.

Rep. Slaughter is proud that the 111th Democratic Congress has taken several important steps to ensure that our veterans get the best service possible.

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