The health and well-being of our veterans and military retirees is extremely important to me. Because of the great sacrifices they have made for our country, the men and women who have served in our armed forces deserve our highest consideration and the best treatment.
I am proud to report that in December 2007 President Bush signed into law the Omnibus Appropriations bill that contains the largest funding increase in the 77 year history of the Veterans Administration. This bill includes more than $37 billion for veterans programs, a $4.4 billion increase over last year.
Specifically, the bill includes:
- $600 million for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) care, traumatic brain injury research and care;
- $4.1 billion to improve VA facilities, hospitals and clinics;
- $2.9 billion for mental health care and substance abuse treatment for veterans; and
- $480 million for prosthetic research to help wounded veterans retain a positive quality of life
In addition to helping veterans, this bill takes strong steps to provide for our active duty military by providing $20.6 billion for facilities needed to house and train military personnel abroad and at home.
I am also proud to report that the National Defense Authorization Act of FY 2008 (H.R. 1585) included provisions of my bill, the Soldiers Targeted by Offensive Profiteering Act of 2007 (STOP Act). This bill ensures that the names and images of soldiers, living or deceased, are not used for profit by companies seeking to sell merchandise without the express consent of the soldier or if deceased, the surviving family. With the help of Congressman Dan Boren (D-OK), I believe we have won a great victory for the memory of our Nation’s fallen heroes.
As we continue the 110th Congress, I remain committed to protecting the veterans of our country. I am also a co-sponsor of H.R. 463, a bill to end the administrative freeze on the enrollment into the health care system of the Department of Veterans Affairs of veterans in the lowest priority category for enrollment, referred to as “Category 8.”
In addition, many veterans have contacted me about the low rate of reimbursement they receive for travel. Many veterans in rural areas of Southwestern Louisiana are forced to travel great distances for their medical care, yet until recently they were reimbursed for their personal travel at a much lower rate than federal employees. I am happy to report that the Omnibus Appropriations bill contained an increase in travel reimbursement from 11 cents per mile to 28.5 cents per mile which went into effect on February 1, 2008. Dr. James Peake, the new Secretary of Veterans Affairs, was extremely helpful in putting this provision into place and increasing the mileage reimbursement rate for the first time in nearly 30 years.
Many veterans will be pleased to know that I have cosponsored legislation to allow Federal civilian and military retirees to pay health insurance premiums on a pretax basis and would allow a deduction for TRICARE supplemental premiums, H.R. 1110.
I have been honored to play a part in setting up the Louisiana Honor-Air program. Through the program, groups of around 100 veterans and guardians from South Louisiana are given the opportunity to make a day trip to Washington, DC where they visit the World War II memorial, and have the opportunity to participate in a wreath laying ceremony at the tomb of the Unknown Soldier. This program has been extremely successful in its first season and I look forward to many flights in 2008. If you would like to find out how you can become involved in this program, please contact Linda Dautriel with the Community Foundation of Acadiana at 337-266-2145.
I remain in strong support of our nations’ servicemen and women and their families. I fully realize the debt of gratitude our nation owes our men and women who defend our country, and I am committed to providing our veterans with the resources necessary to address their needs and provide access to quality healthcare. I continue to support initiatives which ensure those who serve our country and guard our freedom are treated with nothing less than the highest level of dignity and respect.
I am always eager to hear from my constituents. If you would like to speak with my staff about legislation impacting veterans, please contact Washington, D.C. office at 202-225-2031.
