Federal Legislation

FEDERAL LEGISLATION

Legislative Update

This week the Senate passed the Veterans’ Mental Health and Other Care Improvements Act of 2008 (S. 2162) by unanimous consent, which includes provisions drafted in consultation with DAV. The bill, introduced by Sen. Daniel Akaka (D-Hawaii), improves treatment and expands research to address the rising cases of PTSD, substance abuse and suicides among soldiers returning from Iraq and Afghanistan. It would also extend support to family caregivers and low-income veterans in rural areas.

The Joint Economic Committee will be holding a hearing, “Fight Now, Pay Later: The Future Costs of Funding the Iraq War,” next week on the economic impact of the war. As this hearing examines estimates of future health costs for severely disabled veterans, it is imperative that Congress also look seriously at reforming the budget and appropriations process to ensure sufficient, timely and predictable funding to pay for their health care.

Media

On Memorial Day, several newspapers wrote about the need to honor the fallen and care for the surviving wounded and disabled veterans. The articles drew attention to the necessity of restructuring VA funding and DAV’s Stand Up for Veterans initiative.

“Disabled American Veterans: Overhauling VA funding,” Las Vegas Review-Journal
“Honor Our Protectors,” Philadelphia Inquirer

Articles in the latest edition of the DAV Magazine describe the momentum in Congress to meet veterans’ health care needs and DAV’s role in the policy debate.

About the Stand Up for Veterans Initiative "Stand Up for Veterans" is a new initiative of the Disabled American Veterans, an organization of 1.3 million disabled veterans who are focused on building better lives for disabled veterans and their families. The initiative seeks to find public policy solutions for all veterans, particularly those returning from Iraq and Afghanistan, who have incurred devastating injuries and disabilities, including traumatic brain injury, post-traumatic stress disorder and other psychological wounds of war. Please visit http://www.standup4vets.org/ to learn more about this effort. Stand up for veterans. They stood up for us.

FEDERAL LEGISLATIVE UPDATE

March 28, 2008

Reps. Michaud and Miller Introduce Substance Abuse Legislation for Veterans

Congressman Mike Michaud (D-Maine), Chairman of the House Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee on Health, joined with Congressman Jeff Miller (R-Fla.), the subcommittee’s Ranking Member, to introduce the Veterans Substance Use Disorder Prevention and Treatment Act of 2008. The bill would require the VA to provide a range of solutions for treating substance abuse at every VA medical center. Rep. Michaud penned an op-ed in The Hill on this legislation.

DAV Testifies on Substance Abuse

DAV’s Assistant National Legislative Director, Joy Ilem, testified before the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs earlier this month on substance abuse. She urged the Committee to provide veterans with access to a full continuum of care for substance use disorders, including drug screening in all care locations, intensive outpatient treatment and residential care for the most severely addicted. Her testimony can be viewed here.

Members of Congress Encouraged to Sign Pledge

DAV is asking members of Congress to sign a pledge that supports the principle of ensuring veterans receive the comprehensive medical care and support that they deserve. The pledge was distributed earlier this month on Capitol Hill by hundreds of DAV members. A copy of the pledge can be viewed here.

Media Coverage

The Boston Globe wrote about the insufficient support for relatives of disabled veterans and others serving as caretakers.
USA Today ran a story on how the Pentagon admitted to delaying screening for mild brain injuries for two years.

About the Stand Up for Veterans Initiative

"Stand Up for Veterans" is a new initiative of the Disabled American Veterans, an organization of 1.3 million disabled veterans who are focused on building better lives for disabled veterans and their families. The initiative seeks to find public policy solutions for all veterans, particularly those returning from Iraq and Afghanistan, who have incurred devastating injuries and disabilities, including traumatic brain injury, post-traumatic stress disorder and other psychological wounds of war. Please visit www.standup4vets.org to learn more about this effort. Stand up for veterans. They stood up for us.

Webmaster Ron Morgan ron@chapter6.org

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