Caregivers And Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act

Floor Speech

* Mr. DINGELL. Madam Speaker, I rise today to proudly support the House Amendments to S. 1963, the Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act; legislation that recognizes and aims to meet the needs of our veterans who have bravely served in Iraq and Afghanistan after 9/11. My colleagues will remember that this legislation was held up in the Senate due to one senator's objection that the bill was not paid for. However, our warriors have already paid a very high price through their sacrifices and selfless devotion to our national security, and they should be repaid with excellent care when they return to civilian life. Fortunately, this legislation builds on the Democratic Congress' record of supporting our veterans through new and innovative programs, fixing some of the existing problems in the VA, and increasing funding for the VA budget.

* The legislation we are voting on today is a comprehensive approach to caring for our veterans. Specifically, it provides robust support for those who care for our wounded warriors, addresses the needs women veterans, expands services to rural veterans and for mental health care, and closes a loophole for disabled veterans health care.

* Specifically, the House amendments to S. 1963 provides services, training, and reimbursements for the caregivers of veterans who return from war with serious injuries. It will strengthen support for caregivers of all veterans and will provide reimbursements for lodging and healthcare to caregivers of Afghanistan and Iraq War veterans through the Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs.

* In addition, the legislation expands health care services for our 1.8 million women veterans including provisions mandating a study of the barriers to women veterans seeking health care, education and training for mental health professionals caring for veterans with sexual trauma, a reintegration and readjustment pilot program, establishment of a child care pilot program for women receiving regular and intensive mental health care and intensive health care services, and post-delivery health care for new born children.

* This comprehensive bill also improves health care for our veterans living in rural areas, including by expanding transportation for veterans to local VA hospitals and clinics through VA grants to local Veterans Service Organizations and provides increased access to counseling and other mental health centers to any member of the Armed Forces.

* Other provisions in this legislation include prohibiting the VA from collecting copayments from veterans who are catastrophically disabled; creating a pilot program to provide specified dental services to veterans, survivors, and dependents of veterans through a dental insurer; providing hospital care, medical services, and nursing home care for certain Vietnam-era veterans exposed to herbicide and Gulf-War era veterans who have insufficient medical evidence to establish a service-connected disability; and expanding the organizations offering transitional housing and other support for homeless veterans that can receive grants or per diems from the VA, which is particularly important to veterans in rural areas.

* Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this legislation and for the Senate to swiftly act so that this legislation can become law and our veterans can begin to benefit from the important programs this comprehensive bill implements.

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