American Heroes Cola Act of 2015

Floor Speech

I would like to express my appreciation to all the members of our committee who have worked to address these issues in a bipartisan manner, and I truly hope we can stay focused on what is important here, which is helping veterans.

This bill extends a pilot counseling program for women veterans separating from the military and coping with PTSD and other combat- related stress issues. These specialized programs are helping women transition from the military and start the next phase of their lives.

I would also like to highlight an important piece of this legislation that was originally introduced by my friend and colleague, Mr. O'Rourke, the Express Appeals Act.

As highlighted by my friend and colleague, Representative Titus, other members of the committee, and even the VA Secretary just 2 weeks ago, the appeals process is in crisis. We in the House have heard the cry for help and have responded.

After passing this bill, we will wait for our friends in the Senate to take action. We encourage them to remember our veterans suffer for our inaction. This action provides a critical and widely supported alternative appeals process.

I applaud Representatives O'Rourke and Cook, Chairman Miller, the VA, the Board of Appeals, the DAV, the VFW, PVA, AMVETS, IAVA, and MOAA in working together for almost 2 years to reach broad consensus on an alternative path forward.

The Express Appeals Act, similar to the VA's Fully Developed Claim program, offers veterans an alternative option to do more of the work on their own, with the promise of an expedited decision from the Board of Veterans Appeals.

My friend and colleague, Representative Ruiz's bill, H.R. 2691, the Veterans' Survivors Claims Processing and Automation Act of 2015, is also included in this legislation. This provision would automate claims for the surviving family members of veterans.

I truly believe how we treat our veterans plays a major role in who is willing to fight our wars and defend our Nation.
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Mr. TAKANO. Frankel).

As I conclude, I would like to speak about a provision in this bill. Included here is language extending the very successful pilot program run by the Department of Veterans Affairs which provides psychiatric and psychological counseling and support in retreat settings for newly returned women veterans.

A Veterans Health Administration report showed that this limited, 2- year pilot program, run by the Readjustment Counseling Service, produced positive, measurable results helping returning women veterans experiencing post-traumatic stress, depression, sleep disturbances and isolation, many having been evaluated as service-connected for severe PTSD.

In surveys, participants have consistently reported experiencing a marked decrease in stress symptoms and an increase in coping skills, including understanding better how to develop support systems and to access available resources at the VA and in their communities as they reenter civilian life.

Post-9/11 women veterans, often combat veterans, are brought together in groups of about 20, in outdoor settings. These veterans, most of whom are coping with the effects of severe PTSD, some as a result of sexual trauma while in the military, participated in trust-building exercises and worked with counselors and psychological educators to build peer support.

Financial and occupational counseling and conflict resolution training were also offered on an as-needed basis.

I urge support of this provision and the underlying legislation.

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