Mr. President, I am pleased to cosponsor the legislation offered by the Senator from West Virginia, Mr. Rockefeller, to authorize the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) existing emergency preparedness activities.

Currently, VA participates in the National Disaster Medical System (NDMS) and the Federal Response Plan through VA's Fourth Mission, mandated by Congress in 1982 to establish VA's role as the medical back-up to the military during conflicts. When VA has offered medical care to the general public during every major U.S. disaster since Hurricane Andrew, it has done so without the statutory authority to care for non-veterans and non-active duty military personnel. The VA Emergency Medical Care Act of 2002 would give this authority.

Already an active participant in disaster response and preparedness, VA partners with the Departments of Defense and Health and Human Services and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to form the National Disaster Medical System (NDMS). The Act would codify and authorize VA's existing efforts to provide health care to the general public following activation of the NDMS.

VA is an emergency responder through the Federal Response Plan, a signed agreement between 27 federal agencies and the Red Cross that coordinates federal assistance when State and local resources are overwhelmed by a major disaster. VA serves as a support agency for four of the Emergency Support Functions outlined in the Federal Response Plan, including Mass Care and Health and Medical Services. VA is also the principle provider of mental health services to disaster survivors.

I commend the work done by VA employees in responding to national emergencies. Because of their dedication and initiative, this legislation does not create new VA programs nor authorize any additional funds. I urge my colleagues to support the Department of Veterans Affairs Emergency Medical Care Act of 2002. This legislation is a first step in acknowledging the work that VA performs now to help all Americans respond to major disasters and medical crises.