Issue Position: Veterans

Issue Position

Congressman Hodes is working hard to honor our veterans in Congress

"Every day we must honor the sacrifice our veterans made for our freedom. We must reconnect our government and our nation with those who sacrificed for it. We must make sure every day that veterans have access to quality health care, have access to necessary treatments, have the best services available, and that we are honoring the promises made." -- Congressman Paul Hodes

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Congressman Hodes wrote and passed legislation to create a veterans' ombudsman:

The legislation would create an outreach office in the Veterans Affairs Department --a coordinating center for all of the benefits and health information services available both within and outside of the VA. The Ombudsman's Office would centralize information for veterans about the programs, organizations, and resources that are already in place, and help them get answers and cut through red tape in the system.

After learning of a constituent who was trapped in Walter Reed, Congressman Hodes got to work. He helped the veteran of the Iraq war cut through the red tape to get the care he deserved, and to return home to his young family. After seeing the struggles of his constituent, Congressman Hodes wrote the bill that would create an office to ensure that no American veteran would ever endure a similar experience.

Congressman Hodes' bill passed the House on July 29, 2008, but has yet to pass the Senate. With a record numbers of veterans returning from foreign wars, now more than ever, we need an independent office that advocates specifically for veterans and their families and helps them cut through red tape. Veterans are among the most venerable members of our society, and they shouldn't have to fight their government for benefits when they return home from fighting for our country.

Congressman Hodes is working to bring a full service VA Hospital to New Hampshire veterans:

Congressman Hodes is committed to ensuring that our brave veterans get the benefits and health care they deserve. New Hampshire is the only state in the nation without a full-service veterans' hospital. This is a serious inequity, and it places a hardship upon our veterans and their families. Congressman Hodes is working with House Veterans' Affairs Committee Chairman Bob Filner to expand access to services and advocate for a full service VA Hospital in the Granite State.

In addition, Congressman Hodes has worked hard to increase the number of local health care clinics and veterans centers across the Granite State . These important clinics would make medical services in rural areas more accessible, and could work in conjunction with the Manchester VA Hospital to provide expanded community health care services. Congressman Hodes has called on the Secretary of the VA to work with New Hampshire state officials to designate the localities that need the most help and expand the services. Although he was disappointed in the recent decision to put a VA clinic in Brattleboro, VT instead of Keene , Congressman Hodes will continue fighting for a clinic to serve the Monadnock Region.

Congressman Hodes cosponsored legislation to raise the federal mile reimbursement rate for veterans traveling to receive medical care:

Congressman Hodes cosponsored H.R. 6287, a bill that would increase the veteran mileage reimbursement rate to equal the federal employee reimbursement rate. Veterans deserve the same mileage reimbursement rate as federal employees, which is currently 58.5-cents per mile.

Due to the fact that New Hampshire is the only state without a full service VA hospital, veterans must often drive long distance to receive the care they need. They deserve a fair reimbursement rate that reflects the higher costs associated with driving. Congressman Hodes will continue to fight for a full service VA hospital, but believes that the mileage rate must be increased now.

Congressman Hodes cosponsored legislation to ease the transition for service members' with TBI into Veterans' Services and promote TBI health services:

Congressman Hodes cosponsored H.R. 2199, the Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Health Enhancement and Long-Term Support Act of 2007. This legislation would to establish a program to screen veterans eligible for Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) hospital, medical, and nursing home care for symptoms of traumatic brain injury. The bill would also establish a comprehensive program for long-term traumatic brain injury rehabilitation, centers for traumatic brain injury research, education, and clinical activities and a traumatic brain injury registry.

Congressman Hodes voted to increase funding for military health care at Walter Reed and other hospitals, including Post Traumatic Stress Disorder/Counseling and Traumatic Brain Injury care and research:

The bill HR 2206 provides $2 billion more than the President requested for military health care and provides $1.8 billion more for veteran's health care to address the needs of and veterans.

Congressman Hodes voted to increase the Veterans Administration budget by $6.7 billion above the Fiscal Year 2007 level, the largest single increase in the 77-year history of the Veterans Administration and $3.8 billion above the President's request:

Congressman Hodes voted for HR 2642, a bill to appropriate funds for the Veterans Administration for 2008. This new funding will significantly reduce the 400,000 person claims backlog by adding more than 1,100 new claims processors. It will provide much-needed maintenance of VA health care facilities to prevent another Walter Reed-type scandal from occurring in the VA system. This legislation will provide $600 million more for mental health, PTSD and Traumatic Stress Disorder than the President wanted and makes five polytrauma centers and three Centers of Excellence for Mental Health and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder fully operational. A wide range of Veteran's Service Organizations strongly endorsed the bill -- including the Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion, Disabled Veterans of America, Paralyzed Veterans of America, Military Officers Association of America, Association of the United States Army, National Association for Uniformed Services, and AMVETS -- calling it a "major victory" and an "impressive commitment" to our veterans.

Congressman Hodes Cosponsored Legislation to Promote Health Care for our Wounded Service Members:

Congressman Hodes cosponsored H.R. 1268, the Dignity for Wounded Warriors Act of 2007. This legislation would require inspection and repairs of the facilities for wounded service members. The bill would also improve caseworker and social worker training to deal with the unique problems of returning service members, and creates an ombudsman for returning service members.

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