Murkowski's Committee Work Delivers Veterans Care, Military Construction

Press Release

Senator Lisa Murkowski today secured a number of provisions in the FY2013 Military Construction and Veterans Affairs appropriations bill that will deliver significant advancements in "Care Closer to Home" for Alaska's veterans community -- including internal reviews of improvements needed to better deliver medical care in state. Funding secured by Senator Murkowski will result in over $18 million for firing range construction work at both Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson and Fort Wainwright.

The bill passed out of the U.S. Senate Appropriations Subcommittee for Military Construction, Veterans Affairs and Related Agencies today and heads to the full Senate Appropriations Committee.

Prior to the bill's passage, Senator Murkowski shared her appreciation for the Alaska provisions with subcommittee colleagues, saying "Far more often than not, a veteran in Alaska is required to travel a thousand miles to Seattle or beyond for a level of care that is able to be provided within the state. What we'll be able to do [with this study] is better work with our veterans and VA in providing for the care they need… We also have a provision relating to Indian Health Service and the VA collaboration, because we have silos between one agency and the other -- when veterans can't get care closer to home."

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