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[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1175-E1176]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
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From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
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From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
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From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
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EDUCATION, JOBS, BENEFITS, AND PRESCRIPTIONS FOR OUR NATION'S VETERANS
______
HON. BOB FILNER
of california
in the house of representatives
Monday, June 9, 2003
Mr. FILNER. Mr. Speaker and colleagues, I rise today to urge support
for four bills that I have introduced to address several needs of our
veterans and to ensure their well-being.
The first bill (H.R. 1924) deals with education benefits. Last year,
one very important piece of the Fiscal Year 2003 National Defense
Authorization Act that Congress passed was a provision that extends the
time limit for members of the Selected Reserve to use their Montgomery
GI Bill (MGIB) education benefits from 10 years to 14 years. Prior to
the passage of this law, these MGIB participants had only 10 years from
their release from military service to use these earned education
benefits.
Many times, veterans with families, work commitments, and economic
difficulties are unable to fulfill all their requirements to receive a
degree or certification within this 10 year period. In passing last
year's Defense Authorization Act, Congress recognized this difficulty
for members of the Selected Reserve. Also recognizing that 10 years may
not be long enough for certain individuals, the VA Secretary has
limited discretion to grant time extensions to those who are unable to
use their benefits due to mental or physical handicaps.
It is clear that life in 2003 can make it difficult to finish an
education in the allotted time frame. I believe it is time to extend
the time period for all the participants of the MGIB. Therefore, I have
introduced H.R. 1924, ``The Montgomery GI Bill Flexibility Act'', which
will allow all participants up to 14 years to complete their education.
This bill will ensure that more of our veterans are able to avail
themselves of the educational opportunity that the MGIB affords them--
the educational opportunity that they earned.
A second bill, H.R. 1920, ``Let U.S. Veterans Rebuild Iraq Act'',
does just what the title says. It would guarantee jobs to veterans with
companies that are awarded government contracts to rebuild Iraq. We
have all rallied to support our troops as they waged Operation: Iraqi
Freedom. But often, after the troops come home, our veterans are not
treated with the respect that they deserve. It is most important to
ensure that there are jobs for our nation's veterans, both new veterans
and older. We are still fighting homelessness among veterans, a
national disgrace. One way to better the lives of many veterans is to
include them in the job of rebuilding Iraq. They fought for freedom for
Iraq. Let's get them involved with helping to secure the future for
Iraq.
My third bill, H.R. 1347, ``The Former Prisoners of War Equitable
Dental Benefits Act'', is legislation that I introduced in the 107th
Congress and that passed the House of Representatives, but not the
Senate. This bill is supported by the Department of Veterans Affairs.
It would eliminate the ``time of internment'' requirement for former
prisoners-of-war (POWs) in order to be eligible for outpatient dental
care benefits at the VA.
No one can deny that former POWs have sacrificed greatly in defense
of their country. Unfortunately, their sacrifices continue. Reports
have shown that POWs are at higher risk for a number of disabling
conditions associated with exposure to infectious disease, inclement
weather, and malnutrition.
Currently, the law states that eligibility for outpatient dental care
benefits only applies to former POWs with 90 days or more of
internment. As you can imagine, this time requirement has been
difficult for the VA to administer and to justify to the veterans
seeking dental care. Former POWs are often confused about this time
requirement. Who could say that our POWs in Iraq did not suffer because
they were not imprisoned for 90 days? H.R. 1347 eliminates the
arbitrary distinction between former POWs who have all paid dearly for
their service.
Fourthly, I have learned that VA doctors are not allowed to prescribe
more than a 1 month prescription for controlled drugs, such as pain
killers used for chronic conditions. But many veterans who have these
prescriptions have been treated with the same medications for years and
show no signs of abuse. H.R. 1921, the ``Continuity of Care for
Veterans with Chronic Conditions Act'', would allow VA doctors to write
a three-months prescription for these veterans who demonstrate no sign
of
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abuse of their medication. This bill would make it more convenient for
sick veterans to get their medication and would ensure that no lag time
exists when veterans are without their medication.
Education, jobs, benefits, and prescriptions for our nation's
veterans. I urge your support for this legislation!
____________________
