ICYMI: Long Supports Legislation for Veterans, Active Duty Troops in Congress

Press Release

"In Case You Missed It' -- Congressman Billy Long (R-Springfield) recently supported policies and initiatives to support active duty troops, our veterans, and their families in the House of Representatives. Rep. Long supported the passage of H.R. 5588, the "Veterans' Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustments (COLA) Act," co-sponsored H.R. 5734, the "Veterans Transplant Coverage Act," and joined a congressional letter to the Veterans Affairs (VA) Secretary in opposition to Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Proposals that could compromise the safety of VA patients receiving anesthesia.

H.R. 5588, the "Veterans' Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustments (COLA) Act":

Would increase, as of December 1, 2016, the rate of Wartime Disability Compensation, Compensation for Dependents, Clothing Allowance, Dependency and Indemnity Compensation to a Surviving Spouse, and Dependency and Indemnity Compensation to Children by the same percentage as any increase in benefits provided under the Social Security Act.

H.R. 5734, the "Veterans Transplant Coverage Act":

Would require the VA to provide organ transplants to Veterans from a live donor regardless of whether or not that donor is a veteran. The agency's current policy excludes non-Veteran live donations from VA Choice Program coverage and forces Veterans to specific VA treatment facilities.

Letter to VA Secretary McDonald opposing proposed VA anesthesia delivery policy changes:

From letter (attached): "Under changes proposed by VHA, the current Anesthesia Service Handbook will be superseded by a new full nurse practice authority policy. This new policy would eliminate the requirement for physician involvement in anesthesia… These changes are ill conceived and would fundamentally alter anesthesia care within the VA."

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