Aug. 3, 2008
House Increases Veterans Health Care and Military Construction Funding for 2009
By Tony Rutherford
Huntingtonnews.net Reporter
Washington, DC (HNN) – Congress escaped town without finding a solution to the runaway gasoline prices that, particularly in a rural state, like West Virginia, where mass transit does not often make sense. However, prior to leaving for their August recess, members of the U.S. House of Representatives, including Rep. Nick Rahall, D-WV voted affirmatively for the 2009 Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations legislation.
“Our Nation’s military, past and present, has served our country bravely and we owe them a debt of gratitude,” said Rahall. “The legislation we passed today boosts funding for programs, equipment, and facilities needed by our service members for their readiness, safety and well-being; it also provides veterans with greater access to higher quality care, honoring those who have stood in harm’s way.”
Not yet acted upon by the Senate, if left undisturbed, the legislation adds $3.4 billion more than President Bush’s request for the Department of Veterans Affairs. As espoused by presidential candidate Hillary Clinton during her campaign, the bill addresses and funds challenges faced by veterans returning from Afghanistan and Iraq. These include advanced prosthetics, mental health care, and substance abuse treatments. It increases gas mileage reimbursement to 41.5 cents per mile for those traveling a long distance to access health treatment.
The full legislation provides $72.7 billion in discretionary spending. $47.7 billion of that goes to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). The spending request is $8.8 billion above the historic level of last year’s legislation. Complimenting the VA funding, the legislation contains $24.8 billion for Military Construction, Family Housing and Base Realignment and Closure, thus recognizing that to retain troops , today’s volunteer military must consider the welfare of military families.
“Caring for our Nation’s veterans remains foremost in the hearts and minds of West Virginians and protecting their health continues to be one of my top priorities in Congress. This bill boosts funding to help increase West Virginia veterans’ access to quality health care and to help reduce the backlog of benefits claims,” Rahall said.
Addressing military family quality of life issues, Rahall explained that “the husbands, wives and children of our servicemen and women often suffer many hardships when stationed away from home,” said Rahall. “This bill pays special attention to our military families by including programs to provide the housing and military community infrastructure that sustains a quality of life for our troops and their families stationed around the globe.”
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House Increases Veterans Health Care and Military Construction Funding for 2009
By Tony Rutherford
Huntingtonnews.net Reporter
Washington, DC (HNN) – Congress escaped town without finding a solution to the runaway gasoline prices that, particularly in a rural state, like West Virginia, where mass transit does not often make sense. However, prior to leaving for their August recess, members of the U.S. House of Representatives, including Rep. Nick Rahall, D-WV voted affirmatively for the 2009 Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations legislation.
“Our Nation’s military, past and present, has served our country bravely and we owe them a debt of gratitude,” said Rahall. “The legislation we passed today boosts funding for programs, equipment, and facilities needed by our service members for their readiness, safety and well-being; it also provides veterans with greater access to higher quality care, honoring those who have stood in harm’s way.”
Not yet acted upon by the Senate, if left undisturbed, the legislation adds $3.4 billion more than President Bush’s request for the Department of Veterans Affairs. As espoused by presidential candidate Hillary Clinton during her campaign, the bill addresses and funds challenges faced by veterans returning from Afghanistan and Iraq. These include advanced prosthetics, mental health care, and substance abuse treatments. It increases gas mileage reimbursement to 41.5 cents per mile for those traveling a long distance to access health treatment.
The full legislation provides $72.7 billion in discretionary spending. $47.7 billion of that goes to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). The spending request is $8.8 billion above the historic level of last year’s legislation. Complimenting the VA funding, the legislation contains $24.8 billion for Military Construction, Family Housing and Base Realignment and Closure, thus recognizing that to retain troops , today’s volunteer military must consider the welfare of military families.
“Caring for our Nation’s veterans remains foremost in the hearts and minds of West Virginians and protecting their health continues to be one of my top priorities in Congress. This bill boosts funding to help increase West Virginia veterans’ access to quality health care and to help reduce the backlog of benefits claims,” Rahall said.
Addressing military family quality of life issues, Rahall explained that “the husbands, wives and children of our servicemen and women often suffer many hardships when stationed away from home,” said Rahall. “This bill pays special attention to our military families by including programs to provide the housing and military community infrastructure that sustains a quality of life for our troops and their families stationed around the globe.”
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