Operation Just Cause... ...for as long as it takes
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The comprehensive Veterans' Millennium Health Care
Act,
H.R. 2116, was approved by the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs
Thursday, clearing the way for full House action.
Committee Chairman Bob Stump (R-AZ) said he and the House leadership
would
work together to bring H.R. 2116 to the floor under suspension as soon
as
possible. Both Stump and Rep. Lane Evans (D-IL), the Ranking Democratic
Member, praised the bipartisan work that went into H.R. 2116. Stump
called
it a "far-reaching measure that will take veterans' health care into the
21st century."
"I have proudly sponsored legislation to allow VA to reimburse veterans
for
their emergency care treatment in this and the last Congress, " Evans
said.
"The Veterans' Millennium Health Care Act will address this
long-standing
need."
H.R. 2116 is the major veterans' health care reform package promised
earlier
this year by Health Subcommittee Chairman Cliff Stearns (R-FL).
"This bill tackles some of the most pressing issues facing VA, and
provides
a blueprint to help position VA for the future," Stearns said. "I think
it
is appropriately titled the Veterans' Millennium Health Care Act."
The reported bill addresses veterans' concerns about the availability of
VA
long-term care, improving access through facility realignment, and
eligibility enhancement for military retirees and veterans injured in
combat.
One provision of H.R. 2116 would require the VA to maintain long-term
care
programs and increase both home and community-based long-term care and
respite care. The VA also would be required to provide long-term care
for 50
percent service-connected veterans, and veterans needing care for a
specific
service-related condition. Another provision would require other
veterans
receiving long-term care to make co-payments, based on the ability to
pay.
The revenues from co-payments would support expanded long-term care
benefits.
H.R. 2116 also would set conditions under which the VA could close an
obsolete, inefficient hospital and re-invest savings in new outpatient
clinics and other improved services for the veterans affected.
The eligibility provisions include specific authority for priority VA
care
of veterans who were awarded the Purple Heart for injuries sustained in
combat, and authority for VA care of TRICARE-eligible military retirees
not
otherwise eligible for priority VA care. Under this provision, DOD would
reimburse VA for such care at rates to be negotiated by the Departments.
Another measure authorizes VA to establish and make payments for
emergency
care of service-connected and low-income veterans who have no health
insurance or other medical coverage and rely on VA care.
H.R. 2116 would also generate revenues by authorizing VA to increase
copayments on prescription drugs and establish copayments on hearing
aids
and other costly items provided for nonservice-connected conditions.
Such
new revenues would be earmarked to fund VA medical care.
Other program improvements under H.R. 2116 would include extending VA
authority to make grants to homeless veterans, and reforming criteria
for
awarding grants for construction and remodeling of State veterans'
homes.
Sent in by Veterans News and Information Services
CONTACT: Dan Amon
July 15, 1999
(202) 225-3664
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