Caregivers And Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act

Floor Speech

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Mr. RODRIGUEZ. Mr. Speaker, our veterans deserve more. The proper care of our veterans is our most fervent duty to uphold. This bill permits us to advance this support even more with needed programs that will not only cover our veterans, but will also extend caregiver support to their families.

This bill makes marked improvements in rural health programs such as the partnering with the Department of Health and Human Services to expand care in rural areas. It also gives the Department of Veterans Affairs the flexibility it needs to contract mental health services in rural areas where there are no adequate VA facilities.

This bill also addresses the need for coordination between the Departments and the key stakeholders in the study to find solutions to the alarming suicide rates among our veterans and active duty forces and gives more resources to the Department of Veterans Affairs to address key areas such as veteran homelessness and women's health, and strengthens their quality assurance and other programs.

Additionally, this bill reestablishes the previous highly successful Health Professionals Education Assistance Scholarship Program in the Department of Veterans Affairs. Earlier this year, I introduced H.R. 4166, a bill to bring back this successful program. I am glad that this bill includes my legislation.

We also need to recognize our soldiers and thank them for their service. We owe it to each and every one of our wounded warriors and all veterans to ensure their care and medical needs are properly taken care of. Their selfless sacrifices for our Nation's freedom and the sacrifices endured by their families warrant the passage of this bill.

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