VFW advocates, who worked diligently to advance the bill, called the veterans' omnibus benefits package a major victory for the veterans' community.
To read more about H.R. 1627, the VFW's work to advance the bill through Congress, and ways to become involved in the legislative process, click here.
Leaders in the House and Senate agreed on language for the omnibus bill in late June, including language from dozens of stand-alone veterans' bills introduced in the first session of the 112th Congress. The Senate passed its version of the bill on July 18, and the House sent the final version of the bill to the president for his signature last week.
Among the bill's key VFW-supported provisions are enhancements to VA's ability to deliver telehealth consultations to remote-located veterans, expanding services for victims of traumatic brain injury, protecting veterans against sexual assault at VA facilities, and reauthorizing and expanding certain homeless veterans' programs.
H.R. 1627 is the latest veterans' bill signed into law on the heels of VFW action, but more work remains for VFW advocates once Congress reconvenes in Washington after Labor Day. Check back for updates.
(Image: President Barack Obama signs the “Honoring America’s Veterans and Caring for Camp Lejeune Families Act of 2012,” in the Oval Office on Aug. 6, 2012. Official White House Photo by Pete Souza.)
I think it is wonderful that the VFW helped to get this important legislation through Congress and then signed into law by the President.
ReplyDelete"I highly agree with the above!"
DeleteI disagree because of section 109 which discriminates against Disabled veterans under the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 signed into law by then President Bush.
DeleteSection 109 says that the VA Secretary can't prohibit the use of service dogs from VA facilities or those facilities that receive funding from the VA.
DeleteSection 109, originally part of another proposed bill, was added in response to a veteran being denied inpatient services at Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center in Augusta, Georgia, because he had a service dog that was viewed as having too many risks to be let in. This section also follows up on VHA Directive 2011-013, adopted in early 2011, concerning the use of guide and service dogs at VA facilities. The only difference is that Section 109 requires that the service dog be trained by an accredited organization that trains such dogs and some news media viewed section 109 as being more restrictive than VA rules because of this accreditation requirement. VHA Directive 2011-013 could have expired in 2016 had the VA or Congress not acted and this rule allowed different regional offices to have different written policies, some more restrictive than others.
Much of the concern was prompted by reports of service dogs attacking people at VA facilities. I've tried to find specific published reports, but I couldn't find one.
It's also important to note that section 109 is only one part of a much broader and more comprehensive bill that benefits veterans.
I think it is great if it reaLLY happens. I am one of those people who was there and drank the tainted water for 3 years. I have alot of medical problems that could be related.
ReplyDelete