Senator: Extend medical benefits for post-9/11 vets

AirForce Times — Mon, 24 Nov 2014 17:41:08 -0500

From: Air Force Times

In one of his final acts as a U.S. senator, Iraq War veteran and Montana Democrat John Walsh implored the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee to double the period of automatic medical benefits for post-9/11 combat veterans.

Speaking before the committee Nov. 20, Walsh asked members to increase the automatic eligibility for veterans to get medical care at Veterans Affairs facilities to a full decade from the current five years.

The provision had been included in a massive VA reform bill considered by Congress earlier this year, but that legislation failed to pass the Senate in February.

Walsh then introduced separate legislation, the Suicide Prevention for American Veterans Act, in March to expand eligibility to 15 years.

"Extending the combat eligibility for prioritized care at the VA is an immediate and affordable option that we should pass this Congress," Walsh told committee members. "We shouldn't wait another day."

Iraq and Afghanistan combat veterans automatically receive up to five years of health care at VA from date of separation, regardless of whether they have service-connected illnesses or injuries.

Walsh told committee members that the time frame should be extended to 10 years because some conditions — including mental health issues such as post-traumatic stress disorder — don't develop immediately after combat exposure.

"As the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq wind down, many American families are welcoming back sons, daughters, husbands and wives who are changed people. ... We owe them the opportunity to heal, whether their wounds are seen or unseen," Walsh said.

A national study on mental health conditions in the U.S., the National Comorbidity Survey, found that roughly 7 percent of people with PTSD seek treatment within a year of a traumatizing event and the average time patients seek treatment is more than five years.

Walsh pressed the Senate to include his proposal in any year-end legislation. Congress returns to Washington on Dec. 1 and could debate several defense and veterans-related bills, including the fiscal 2015 defense authorization and appropriations bills.

Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., chairman of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee, said Monday he hopes to pass legislation by the end of the year that would improve the VA and Defense Department suicide prevention programs.

Sanders said he hopes Congress will include Walsh's provision in any veterans legislation passed by Dec. 31.

"Overall, I believe that the VA is doing a good job in providing mental health services for veterans, but we have to do better," Sanders said in statement.

http://www.airforcetimes.com/story/veterans/2014/11/24/walsh-veterans-affairs-medical-benefits-veterans/19490667/

Response by CW5 Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 24 at 2014 5:46 PM

CW5 Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 24 Nov 2014 17:46:50 -0500

Bravo, Senator Walsh! Thanks for standing up for our veterans. Let's hope the new Congress can make changes along these lines.

Response by CPT Zachary Brooks made Nov 24 at 2014 6:18 PM

CPT Zachary Brooks — Mon, 24 Nov 2014 18:18:17 -0500

While I am happy this is being proposed I have grown cynical enough to look at both what the Senator is resigning for, as well as this is likely a grab to get some positive press back for himself and the Democrats.

I hope this bill passes, but I'm so bitter otherwise.

Response by SGT James Hastings made Nov 24 at 2014 6:21 PM

SGT James Hastings — Mon, 24 Nov 2014 18:21:41 -0500

I pray that it passes but so far it has been an uphill battle getting the Congress to approve additional help for veterans. Maybe at least a month at the front lines would give them a better understanding of real life?

Response by TSgt Tim (lj) Littlejohn made Nov 24 at 2014 7:28 PM

TSgt Tim (lj) Littlejohn — Mon, 24 Nov 2014 19:28:53 -0500

It's good to see there are still some good people, on both sides, in congress. We need more Vets elected to serve in congress, to stop the mentality of you volunteered!

Response by SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL made Nov 24 at 2014 8:40 PM

SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL — Mon, 24 Nov 2014 20:40:29 -0500

That's taking care of Veterans, America.

Response by SPC Susan Brown made Nov 25 at 2014 12:47 AM

SPC Susan Brown — Tue, 25 Nov 2014 00:47:53 -0500

This would be a wonderful thing for all veterans to have but sadly I do not see those in Congress taking their heads out of their fifth POC.

Response by Lt Col Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 25 at 2014 2:20 AM

Lt Col Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 25 Nov 2014 02:20:38 -0500

It will interesting if this passes. IMO I think veterans should get medical for life for the sacrifice of time to the country. We are one of the few developed countries that does a lousy job taking care of former military personnel. I would like to see permanent quality of life initiatives for veterans, versus using us as political pawns in a chess game. Unfortunately we have many people in this country including the right wing now who are abandoning the military personnel, like Sen Coburn who is concerned with tripple dipping, or others who believe that all vets are self entitled to benefits. Or conservative talk show host Michael Savage who think people with combat stress are bunch crying whiners. Yet at the same time they have no problem handing out subsidies to major industry like corporate farming and Natural Resource extraction.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 25 at 2014 5:02 AM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 25 Nov 2014 05:02:53 -0500

Congressman get medical for life - plus a stipend. Just saying...

Response by CSM Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 25 at 2014 1:06 PM

CSM Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 25 Nov 2014 13:06:46 -0500

Is this guy kidding? I don't care what he is trying to do in the name of Veterans. He is a farce, a liar, a plagarist and he doesn't care about Veterans. This is a ploy to try and clean up his disgraced name. There are too many dishonest and dishonorable politicians wreaking havoc on our country and too many of us are eager to forget and allow them to get away with past actions. I do not support this man or his actions in any way.