Largest Increase in Health Care for Military
Rep. Baron Hill, D-Ind. (9th CD), has issued the following news release:
"Americans were shocked to learn one year ago of a crisis in care for soldiers returning from Iraq and Afghanistan," Hill added. "America can do better, and this historic funding increase, paired with our Wounded Warriors Act reforms, puts us on the right track for America's veterans."
With the release of these funds, the 110th Congress has provided an extra $6.7 billion over last year for the largest single funding increase in the 77-year history of the Department of Veterans Affairs. This funding is primarily aimed at:
* X Strengthening quality health care for 5.8 million patients, including about 263,000 Iraq and Afghanistan veterans, in the 5th year of the war in Iraq;
* X Investing in much-needed maintenance for VA health care facilities and treatment for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Traumatic Brain Injury for returning veterans;
* X Reducing the backlog of veterans (400,000 claims) waiting for their earned benefits by adding 1,800 claims processors.
* X Building on the first steps by this Congress at the beginning of 2007 - increasing veterans' health care and benefits by $5.2 billion for improved care and shorter waiting lines for veterans waiting 177 days to receive their earned benefits.
