Gillibrand Calls Associated Press Report on Uninsured Veterans, "Appalling"

Press Release

Gillibrand Calls Associated Press Report on Uninsured Veterans, "Appalling"

Today, local Congresswoman Kirsten Gillibrand, a Member of the House Armed Services Committee released the following statement regarding an October 30th AP story detailing a troubling study from the Harvard Medical College on the rise in uninsured U.S. veterans:

"I am appalled by the troubling information in this study. The men and women who have worn the uniform of the United States deserve better."

The study said that approximately 1.8 millions veterans have no health insurance, an increase of 290,000 since 2000. Roughly 1 out of every 8 veterans under the age of 65 are uninsured. The study analyzed data from the government released surveys from 1988 through 2005.

"Our support for our servicemen and women needs to go beyond active duty. As Member of the House Armed Services Committee I have the unique privilege to witness the strength and commitment that our service members have for the United States. We cannot turn out back on those who risked their lives in defense of our freedoms.

"The Walter Reed scandal, the backlogs in benefits processing, as well as the nursing shortages we are seeing in our VA hospital is a huge black eye for the system. We need to do better."

Earlier this year, the Congresswoman Gillibrand voted in favor of the largest increase in Veterans Affairs funding in our nation's history. However, Congresswoman Gillibrand has said that funding, "Is just a start - we need to do more."

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