Caregivers And Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act

Floor Speech

SPEECH OF
Caregivers And Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act

HON. LAURA RICHARDSON
OF CALIFORNIA
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 21, 2010

* Ms. RICHARDSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of S. 1963, the ``Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act of 2009,'' which will finally give our brave men and women in uniform the benefits they deserve and provide their families and caregivers with the support that they need. Too many of our veterans return home--many of them wounded or disabled--after risking their lives on our behalf and do not receive adequate health care or benefits. Too many families fall into debt as they assume the responsibility of caring for a loved one who has returned from Iraq or Afghanistan. This bill will right these injustices.

* I thank Chairman FILNER for his leadership in bringing this bill to the floor. I also thank the sponsor of this legislation, Senator AKAKA, for working hard to ensure that our Nation's dedication to its veterans matches their selfless devotion to this country.

* Mr. Speaker, representing a district that is home to over 24,000 veterans and the VA Medical Center of Long Beach, I understand the work that must be done to uphold our Nation's obligation to its veterans. Unfortunately, for years the health care services provided for our Nation's veterans have been inadequate. Veterans' families have been especially over-burdened by this failure. When wounded or disabled veterans return home from overseas, family members often become their primary caregivers. However willing these individuals may be to care for their loved one, the truth is that family members often lack the resources or skills needed to provide the care that our veterans deserve. S. 1963 will provide training and financial assistance to family caregivers, so that veterans' families can afford to provide them with quality care.

* In addition, S. 1963 will improve health care for female veterans. For too long, female veterans have lacked access to comprehensive health care. We cannot stand for this kind of discrimination. S. 1963 will break down this barrier and give female veterans access to health professionals specializing in the specific health care needs of women. Among many other things, the bill will provide counseling and care to female veterans suffering from sexual trauma.

* This bill will also provide an array of new health services for veterans, ensuring that every veteran has access to the care that he or she deserves. The bill will expand care for veterans in rural areas, because where veterans live should never determine the quality of care that they receive. It will improve mental health support for veterans, because we must respond to traumatic experiences that our men and women in uniform are braving in Iraq and Afghanistan. Finally, this legislation will help homeless veterans find housing, because it is simply unacceptable for our veterans to risk their lives for our country and return home to live on the streets.

* Mr. Speaker, our men and women in uniform have assumed the responsibility of protecting us and the values that we cherish as American citizens; we, then, have a responsibility to them. We must provide them with support they need to live healthy and financially stable lives upon returning home. This bill will do just that. I strongly urge my colleagues to join me in supporting S. 1963.

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