Veterans Health Care, Democrats Provide Largest Funding Increase Ever

Floor Speech

VETERANS HEALTH CARE, DEMOCRATS PROVIDE LARGEST FUNDING INCREASE EVER -- (House of Representatives - June 21, 2007)

(Ms. CASTOR asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 minute.)

Ms. CASTOR. Mr. Speaker, last week, the new Congress adopted the most significant expansion of veterans health care in the history of the VA.

The real-life story of Lt. Sylvia Blackwood highlights why this is so important. Lt. Blackwood began suffering from PTSD after serving two tours of duty in Iraq. She found the strength to check herself into the VA Medical Center here in Washington. She was suicidal, but instead of receiving immediate treatment, she was directed to a waiting room. When she was finally admitted, she did not receive therapy or relief.

According to an in-depth series published by The Washington Post this week, unfortunately, Lt. Blackwood's story is not uncommon. An estimated one-third of all veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan suffer from mental health challenges.

America's servicemen and -women deserve the best care possible when they return from war, both for their physical and mental health. That is why this new Congress last week passed the most significant expansion and improvement in veterans health care in the VA's 77-year history. It's important for all Americans to take pride in that action.

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