ptsd Dav Calls On Congress To Pass Critical Veterans Health Care

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DAV Calls On Congress to Pass Critical Veterans Health Care Legislation

• In a letter sent September 9, 2008, to congressional leaders, DAV responded to troubling reports that the House and Senate may not reach any further agreements this year on various veterans' health care bills. "Although the House and Senate Veterans' Affairs Committees have held dozens of hearings and marked up numerous bills, several of which have been passed by the House or the Senate," wrote DAV's National Commander Raymond Dempsey, "the Congress has failed to reach agreement and approve the great majority of these bills." While the letter to Sens. Reid and McConnell and Reps. Pelosi and Boehner makes clear DAV's appreciation for increases in funding for veterans health care and passage of the new GI Bill, it calls for final action this year on health care legislation seeking better diagnosis and treatment of TBI and PTSD, as well as specialized medical care for women veterans and family caregivers.

DAV Testified Before House Committee

• DAV's Assistant National Legislative Director Joy Ilem testified this week before the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs in support of the Heroes at Home Act of 2007 (H.R. 3051) that would strengthen VA programs to diagnose TBI, increase awareness of PTSD, and provide expanded support to family caregiver programs. Ilem also reiterated a call for Congress to "complete a significant package of veterans' health legislation before adjournment."

Military Press Covers Expanded Push for VA Funding Reform

• Military.com ran a story, "VA Health Budget Reform Sought," on the urgent push for advanced funding legislation that would ensure the VA receives its funding in a timely and predictable manner. The reform is being pursued by the Partnership for Veterans Health Care Budget Reform, which represents more than eight million members from nine leading veteran service organizations.

• Army Times also wrote a piece, "Groups want quicker OKs of VA health budgets," on the Partnership's goal of changing how VA health care funds are appropriated.

About the Stand Up for Veterans Initiative

Stand Up for Veterans is an initiative of the Disabled American Veterans, an organization of 1.4 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.