Congress Passes New Legislation To Support Injured American Warfighters
Congress Passes New Legislation To Support Injured American Warfighters
Congressman Robin Hayes (NC-8) voted to ensure America's injured and wounded soldiers and veterans receive quality healthcare through the military health system. The Wounded Warrior Assistance Act, H.R. 1538, seeks to provide solutions to the problems uncovered at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. The legislation received overwhelming bipartisan support by a vote of 426 to 0 and 7 members not voting. Hayes was a co-sponsor of this legislation.
"Every member of the military, and especially those men and women who have been injured or wounded in combat, deserve the finest care available," said Hayes. "This legislation is another step in an effort to streamline the process for receiving care as well as ensuring our soldiers have the physical and mental health resources they need once they return from completing their mission. Recently, there has been some negative media about repeat incidents at the W.G. Hefner VA Hospital in Salisbury. I have written to the VA, asking them to explain these troubling allegations, and I will continue to pursue the matter to ensure that our active duty soldiers and veterans receive the best care possible."
Highlights of H.R. 1538, the Wounded Warrior Assistance Act, include:
ü Making comprehensive improvements to medical care, quality of life, and the administrative processes associated with American troops wounded or injured in combat and other military medical outpatients.
ü Assigning every wounded servicemember a "medical case manager" to ensure they understand their treatment and make all their appointments.
ü Testing a more formal way to transfer medical cases from the Defense Department to the Veterans Affairs Department, so soldiers can continue their care upon being discharged from active duty service.
ü Creating a toll-free suicide hotline manned 24 hours-a-day, 7 days-a-week, by trained mental health personnel, for soldiers and their families.
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