House and Senate Veterans' Affairs Committees Receive Legislative Presentations from Veteran Service Organizations

Washington, D.C. – The House Veterans' Affairs Committee led by Chairman Bob Filner (D-CA), and the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee led by Chairman Daniel Akaka (D-HI), held a joint hearing on Thursday, March 4, 2010, to receive the legislative presentation of the Paralyzed Veterans of America, Jewish War Veterans, the Military Order of the Purple Heart, the American Ex-Prisoners of War, the Blinded Veterans Association, the Military Officers Association of America, the Air Force Sergeants Association, and the Wounded Warrior Project. 
 
Chairman Filner remarked, "Today the veteran service organizations have provided important insight as the Committee analyzes the budget and looks to meet the urgent needs of veterans." Mr. Filner went on to say, "Delegates and members of the advocacy groups here today do a great job keeping us informed and leading the fight on implementing the legislative priorities and victories we will be discussing here today.  We continue to urge the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to connect with veterans and their families to guarantee receipt of benefits for which they are entitled, provide appropriate health care services, and assist veterans in their reintegration to civilian life."  
 
Testimony was provided by Paralyzed Veterans of America National President Gene Crayton, Jewish War Veterans National Commander Edwin M. Robins, Military Order of the Purple Heart National Commander James M. Sims, American Ex-Prisoners of War National Commander Kenny H. Hanson, Blinded Veterans Association National President Dr. Roy Kekahuna, Military Officers Association of America Deputy Director of Government Relations René A. Campos, USN (Ret.), Air Force Sergeants Association Chief Executive Officer CMSGT John R. "Doc" McCauslin (Ret.), and Wounded Warrior Project Board Member Andrew Kinard. 
 
Andrew Kinnard called upon the VA to provide more coordinated care for America's wounded warriors.  He said, "Well-intentioned efforts to improve VA services for our warriors have made a difference.  A generally robust VA budget for the coming fiscal year is encouraging.  But far more fundamental changes are needed to provide the kind of help wounded warriors need and deserve.  While VA administers an array of programs targeted at specific problems, there is little in the way of a holistic, coordinated approach to help a severely injured veteran to thrive again.  Much more must be done to achieve the critically important goal of making VA and VA programs truly veteran-centered." 
 
Chairman Filner concluded: "Funding for veterans' benefits and health care services is without question a top priority of this Congress.  Since Senate Veterans' Affairs Chairman Akaka and I have chaired these committees, the health care budget for veterans has increased by almost $19 billion – a 55% increase!  Yet, I still believe we can and must do more to ensure that this funding flows to local VA facilities in a more efficient and effective manner.  We have to make sure – as oversight committees in both the Senate and the House – that the money is spent effectively and efficiently.  It is our job to see that the money gets down to where you are."

   
Today's hearing followed a hearing held earlier in the week to receive the legislative presentation from Disabled American Veterans.  The House and Senate Veterans' Affairs Committees have scheduled future joint hearings to receive legislative presentations from Veterans of Foreign Wars, AMVETS, National Association of State Directors of Veterans Affairs, Non Commissioned Officers of America, Gold Star Wives of America, Fleet Reserve Association, The Retired Enlisted Association, Vietnam Veterans of America, and the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America.