Issue Position: Veterans' Affairs

Issue Position

While in Congress, I will fight to improve veterans care and make sure our heroes receive medical care that is thorough, meets world-class standards and is patient-centered.

I voted in favor of H.R. 797, which will expand current vision programs for veterans to include those who have suffered "impairment of vision." Current law includes only those with "blindness."

I also supported H.R. 1284, the Veterans` Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2007. This bill provides a cost-of-living adjustment for disability compensation for veterans with disabilities related to service.

Another bill important bill I have co-sponsored is H.R. 1538, the Wounded Warrior Assistance Act of 2007.

This legislation directly addresses the dreadful conditions found at Walter Reed Hospital Building 18. I want to ensure that all our wounded veterans have an effective voice in the care they receive.

This legislation stipulates that every wounded veteran be assigned a "medical care case manager" and allows greater cooperation between the Defense Department and Veterans Affairs Department in sharing medical records.

The bill also would require military officials to begin notifying Congress whenever a soldier is evacuated from a combat zone to a medical facility.

This notification would allow lawmakers to reach out and contact the families of wounded soldiers. It is important that I have the ability to offer personal assistance to any soldiers from south-central Michigan wounded on the battlefield and give these men and women a voice.

Earlier this year, I sent a letter to President George W. Bush expressing concern with the conditions at Walter Reed Army Medical Center and requesting a briefing from Veterans Affairs Secretary Jim Nicholson on plans to upgrade the VA hospital system and outpatient clinics.

Despite the outstanding efforts of many dedicated healthcare providers, too many VA hospitals and the system of care within which they exist are case studies in bureaucratic inefficiency.

Recently, I visited the Battle Creek VA Medical Center, and I am pleased to give a good report of the facility.

I talked with numerous patients who were satisfied with their care, and I saw a dedicated staff working to meet the needs of these patients.

I look forward to partnering with the Battle Creek community to ensure our wounded soldiers and veterans are provided first-class medical care when they return home from battle.

Congress has an obligation to care for America's wounded heroes when they return home from the battlefield.

It is the least we can do to provide the highest quality medical care to the brave men and women of our Armed Forces when they are injured defending the freedoms we enjoy.

The thousands of men and women serving in the military who have been wounded serving in Iraq and Afghanistan deserve the best treatment and care available.

Source