Walz Supports Bill to Provide Healthcare to Uninsured Veterans

Press Release

Walz Supports Bill to Provide Healthcare to Uninsured Veterans

Congressman's Action Follows News Reports that One In Eight Elderly Veterans Are Uninsured

Washington, Oct 31 - Today, Congressman Tim Walz announced his support of H.R. 463, the Honor Our Commitment to Veterans Act. The legislation would terminate the Bush Administration's freeze on allowing Priority 8 veterans to enroll in the Department of Veterans' Affairs health care system, opening VA health care to Priority 8 veterans for the first time in nearly five years.

Walz said that so-called Priority 8 veterans—those who weren't disabled or injured due to service and who are above a certain income threshold—have been prohibited by the Bush Administration from enrolling in VA healthcare. The legislation he is supporting would allow Priority 8 veterans to enroll in VA health care if they choose to do so.

According to the America Legion, 378,495 Priority 8 veterans have been denied enrollment to VA health care. Just days ago, the Associated Press reported on a study by Harvard Medical School which found that one of every eight veterans under the age of 65 is uninsured and that an estimated 1.8 million veterans lack health coverage.

"America's veterans deserve the care and benefits they were promised," Walz said. "Part of the cost of war is the cost of caring for our nation's veterans, who have deeply sacrificed in service to their country. Yesterday's AP report shows that many veterans are without care due to the Bush Administration's decision to cut costs on the backs of Priority 8 veterans. The legislation I am supporting today would help reduce the number of uninsured veterans and would restore the access to health care veterans enjoyed prior to being cut off by the President."

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