House Advances Important Veterans Bills

Washington, D.C. – On Monday, March 30, 2009, Bob Filner (D-CA), Chairman of the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, announced that the House of Representatives considered three bills that would improve benefits and services to veterans provided by the Department of Veterans

Affairs (VA). The House unanimously passed all three bills.

H.R. 1377, as amended – To expand veteran eligibility for reimbursement by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs for emergency treatment furnished in a non-Department facility, and for other purposes (Introduced by Chairman Filner)

This bill would expand veteran eligibility to require the VA to pay for emergency treatment for a non-service connected condition if a third-party is not responsible for paying for the full cost of care.

The bill clarifies that the VA only pay the difference between the amounts paid by the third-party and the VA allowable amount, and is not responsible for copayments the veteran owes to the third party.

Chairman Bob Filner offered the following statement: "Under current law, veterans are not reimbursed for medical costs when they receive emergency care from non-VA medical facilities if they have insurance that pays either full or a portion of the emergency care. This creates an inequity that penalizes veterans with third-party insurance and burdens veterans with paying the remaining amount not covered by insurance. H.R. 1377 is a common sense bill that clarifies the reimbursement responsibilities of the VA, so veterans can focus on their recovery, instead of being overburdened with financial concerns."

H.R. 1171, as amended – Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program Reauthorization Act of 2009 (Introduced by Representative Boozman)

This bill would reauthorize the Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program for fiscal years 2010 through 2014. The bill was amended to authorize an additional $10 million to provide dedicated services for homeless women veterans and homeless veterans with children. Grants would be made available to provide job training, counseling, placement services, and child care services to expedite the reintegration of veterans into the labor force.

Filner offered the following statement in support of H.R. 1171: "I believe that the goal of VA homeless programs should be to not only provide veterans with a bed for the night, but to provide them with the resources that they need to obtain permanent housing, a steady job, and a renewed sense of self-worth. H.R. 1171 is an important step to ensuring that VA is prepared to provide comprehensive services to prevent homeless veterans. This bill also addresses the sad reality that female veterans are the fastest growing segment of the homeless veteran population. Female veterans face similar challenges to their male counterparts, but they are very likely to have experienced serious trauma including abuse or rape, and a significant number also have children to support. H.R. 1171 provides support for a successful VA program that works to meet these new challenges and prevent homelessness among our veterans."

H.R. 1513 – Veterans’ Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2009 (Introduced by Representative Kirkpatrick)

This bill would direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to increase the rates of basic compensation for disabled veterans and the rates of dependency and indemnity compensation to their survivors and dependents, along with other benefits, in order to keep pace with the rising cost-of-living. The adjustment would become effective December 1, 2009, and would be equal to that provided on an annual basis to Social Security recipients.

Chairman Filner commented: "H.R. 1513 provides a cost-of-living adjustment for veterans and is one of the most important bills we pass every year. We would be derelict in our duty if we failed to guarantee that those who sacrificed so much for this country receive benefits and

services that fail to keep pace with their needs. I would like to

thank Congresswoman Kirkpatrick for the leadership she has brought to the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee and for her tenacious and sincere support of our veterans."

The bills will next be considered by the United States Senate.