Feingold Marks Armed Forces Day With Push To Help Service Members Get The Care They Deserve

Press Release

As the nation observes Armed Forces Day on Saturday, May 16th, U.S. Senator Russ Feingold is highlighting the need to make sure wounded service members receive the care and benefits they deserve when transitioning to care under the Veterans Administration.

"Saturday May 16th is Armed Forces Day and I want to thank our brave men and women in uniform and their families for the sacrifices they made on behalf of our country. I have seen the dedication and professionalism that is involved here while visiting with members of the Armed Forces in Iraq and in Afghanistan. That is why I introduced the Wounded Warrior Transition Assistance Act. It's a bill that would guarantee that service members don't face any gaps as they transition to the VA. It's actually an issue that was brought to my attention by a young Wisconsin soldier. Service members and veterans deserve the best possible care both while serving and after returning home."

Currently, many wounded service members who cannot work due to their injuries face significant financial hardships while they wait for the VA to process their claims because they are never told about the patchwork of military compensation programs designed to care for them as they transition back to civilian life. Feingold and Murkowski's Wounded Warrior Transition Assistance Act would help ensure that wounded reservists and members of the Guard are informed of the various programs to compensate them for their injuries before they separate from the military and to guarantee that there is no gap in income as they transition into the VA.

The legislation was inspired by a young soldier from Wisconsin who came to Sen. Feingold for assistance when he returned from an overseas deployment with serious wounds. He was separated from the Army without going through the medical discharge process even though he had sustained a serious injury that impaired his ability to work.

Feingold and Murkowski's legislation has broad support among military and veteran service organizations and is endorsed by Disabled American Veterans, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, Military Officers Association of America, the National Guard Association of the United States, and the Enlisted Association of the National Guard of the United States.

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