Establishing Commission or Task Force to Evaluate the Backlog of Disability Claims

Floor Speech

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Mr. GINGREY of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 2189, legislation to establish a commission to evaluate the backlog of disability claims at the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Although the VA has made important progress on reducing the backlog over the past several months, it still fell nearly 100,000 claims short of its Fiscal Year 2013 processing goal. As of October 19th, more than 400,000 disability claims remain backlogged at the VA. This problem persists despite the fact that Congress has given the VA every resource that they have asked for to end this problem. We must remain committed to a goal of completely eliminating this backlog.

Our veterans deserve timely processing of claims so that they can get the care and compensation that they so deserve. The legislation before us today will get us closer to that goal by establishing a task force to evaluate the backlog and appeals process of claims. Furthermore, H.R. 2189 directs the commission to analyze potential improvements to the current system and solutions to solve the problem and in turn requires the VA to implement appropriate solutions.

Our brave men and women in uniform put their lives on the line to protect our freedoms, and we must do everything in our power to demonstrate our gratitude for their dedication and sacrifice. A first step in that process is ensuring that our veterans are not forced to wait hundreds of days simply to have their disability claims processed.

Mr. Speaker, we owe our veterans efficient and effective care. I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting H.R. 2189 so that we can find a solution to ending the backlog once and for all.

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