Congresswoman Elaine Luria Participates in Hearing on Modernizing Veteran Eligibility for Care

Press Release

Today, Congresswoman Luria participated in a House Committee on Veterans Affairs hearing entitled, "A Time for Change: Assessing the Need to Modernize Veteran Eligibility for Care." During the hearing, the Congresswoman pressed witnesses about ways we should improve the transition from active duty to VA health care and how the VA handles claims related to toxic exposure.

According to a report from the Congressional Research Service, 78% of veterans who have applied for service connection due to toxic exposures have been denied since 2007.

"I don't understand why everyone here is so content with the status quo because I really do think the VA is letting down our veterans, especially in the area of toxic exposures," said Congresswoman Elaine Luria. "We should work to break down barriers and take the burden off the veteran to fight for that health care."

You can view the Congresswoman's lines of questioning here.

Congresswoman Luria has consistently worked across party lines to ensure that our veterans receive the support and care they need. Last year, she championed the Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act as it passed through DAMA before becoming law. This law provides long-overdue health benefits to Vietnam-era veterans who served 12 nautical miles off the coast of Vietnam and experienced health complications from Agent Orange. As Chair of the Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs Subcommittee, Congresswoman Luria also led a hearing on the impacts of toxic exposures on veterans earlier this year.

Congresswoman Elaine Luria represents Virginia's 2nd Congressional District. She serves on the House Armed Services Committee, where she is the Vice Chair of the Seapower and Projection Forces Subcommittee, and the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs, where she serves as Chair of the Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs Subcommittee.

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