Tuesday, June 23, 2009

Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Dina Titus of Nevada’s Third District supported measures today that will help Nevada’s veterans and take important steps to ensure they have the resources they need.  The House passed H.R. 1016, the Veterans Health Care Budget Reform and Transparency Act, and H.R. 1211, the Women Veterans Health Care Improvement Act, with broad bipartisan support.

“This Congress is committed to keeping our promise to care for the brave men and women who have sacrificed for the safety and security of our nation,” Congresswoman Titus said.  “With the passage of these important bills, we are working to provide our veterans with the resources and benefits they have earned through their dedicated service to our country.  I am especially pleased that our actions today will build on my efforts in Nevada to care for our women veterans when they return home.”

The Veterans Health Care Budget Reform and Transparency Act, which has been endorsed by veterans organizations as among the most important for veterans and their families, authorizes Congress to approve investments in VA medical care one year in advance.  This will provide time for the VA to plan how to deliver the best care to an increasing number of veterans with complex medical conditions.

The Women Veterans Health Care Improvement Act will expand and improve VA health care services for the 1.8 million women who have bravely served our country.  It calls for a study of barriers to women veterans seeking health care; an assessment of women’s health care programs; medical care for newborn children of women veterans; the enhancement of VA sexual trauma programs and PTSD treatment for women; the establishment of a pilot program for child care services; and the addition of recently separated women veterans to serve on advisory committees.  While in the Nevada State Legislature, Titus sponsored legislation to create the position of Women Veteran’s Coordinator within the Nevada Office of Veteran Services.

“These bills, taken together with our efforts last week to extend education benefits and provide stop-loss payments to 185,000 service members, help honor our sacred commitment to our veterans and troops,” Titus added.

Last week, the House passed the Supplemental Appropriations bill, which in addition to providing stop-loss payments of $500 for every month service members were forced to remain on active duty longer than planned, also allowed, under the 21st Century GI Bill of Rights, for the extension of education benefits to children of members of the armed forced who die while on active duty.

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Tags: veterans