Rep. Schiff Votes to Strengthen Veterans' Health Services
Washington, DC – Today, Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA) voted to ensure that veterans and their families receive the care and support they need and deserve after putting themselves in harm’s way for our safety. The Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act will reform and improve veterans’ health services by supporting wounded veterans, their families and caregivers, expanding care for female veterans, improving mental health services, and increasing access to health care for veterans in rural areas.
“Day in and day out our soldiers, sailors, airmen, marines and coast guardsmen put their lives on the line to protect our own,” Rep. Schiff said in a statement on the House floor today. “Our men and women in uniform are the bravest among us, making unparalleled sacrifices to protect our precious liberties and freedoms. We must do everything in our power to support them.”
To address the unique needs of the growing number of returning women soldiers, this bill will improve health services for almost 2 million female veterans. With this legislation, the VA will be able to provide care for female veterans’ newborns for the first time in history. It will also improve access to care for veterans in rural areas, ensure that the VA can better treat veterans suffering from mental health issues, and provide the VA with resources to learn more about the tragically high suicide rate among veterans. This legislation will also support family members and caregivers who look after our injured veterans to bring them the relief they deserve.
“Today, we voted to provide our veterans and their families with the valuable benefits they need, have earned, and deserve,” Rep. Schiff said on the House floor. “This legislation is an important component of our ongoing effort to give back to our Veterans and their families.”
The Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act passed today builds on a number of recent accomplishments for veterans and troops, including the new G.I. Bill, which restores the promise of a full four-year education to our service men and women to make them part of our economic recovery; historic investments in veterans’ health care and providing that funding one year in advance to prevent political or legislative delays; the Recovery Act, which provides a tax credit to businesses for hiring out-of-work veterans, funds for improvements to veterans' hospitals, and provided disabled veterans with a payment of $250; and improving care for those with PTSD.
The bill passed by the House today is supported by a broad coalition of veterans groups including the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Disabled American Veterans, AMVETS, Paralyzed Veterans of America, the Wounded Warriors Project and the National Military Family Association.