Approximately one-third of the veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan seek help for mental health concerns from the VA. According to published reports, the number of returning veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan who have sought help for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) services and readjustment concerns has doubled over the past year. This increased caseload has forced many centers to limit services or establish waiting lists for needed services. The National Military Family Association and the Vietnam Veterans of America support the amendment, which is included in the Senate FY 2007 Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations bill, and is co-sponsored by Senators Kennedy (Mass.), Akaka (Hawaii), Boxer (Calif.) and Jeffords (Vt.).

Please read Senator Kerry’s floor statement, below:

Mr. KERRY. Mr. President, it is our obligation to do everything possible to ensure that veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan can make the transition home successfully.

“Welcome home” must be more than something we say to our veterans. It must be measured in actions taken not just words spoken.

Today, I am offering an amendment to increase funding for the VA Vet Centers to provide critically-needed services to our returning veterans.

The VA Vet Centers provide readjustment counseling and outreach services to all veterans who served in any combat zone. Our veterans earned these benefits through their service to country, and we must fulfill the nation’s commitment to them by providing the highest quality services possible. Unfortunately, a recent report reveals that VA Vet Centers need additional funding in order to provide the trained professionals necessary to offer quality mental health services.

The Vet Center program was established to assist Vietnam-era veterans who were experiencing readjustment problems. In 1991, Congress extended the eligibility to veterans who served during other periods of armed hostilities after the Vietnam era. The goal of the Centers is to provide a broad range of counseling, outreach and referral services to help veterans successfully readjust to civilian life. Services include individual counseling, group counseling, marital and family counseling, bereavement counseling, medical referrals, assistance in applying for VA benefits, and employment counseling.

A recent report by the House Veterans Affairs Committee Democratic staff found that in nine months, between October 2005 and June 2006, the number of returning veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan who turned to Vet Centers for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) services doubled. The increased demand for services is beginning to affect access to quality care. In fact, one in four Vet Centers surveyed has been forced to limit services or establish waiting lists for critically needed services. After serving this nation and fighting for our country, our veterans should not have to fight for critical adjustment services.

In November of 2004, VA Secretary Nicholson approved a mental health strategic plan, acknowledging gaps in mental health services due to the surge in demand from veterans of combat in Iraq and Afghanistan. Congress provided approximately $100 million to fund the VA Mental Health Strategic plan. However, a recent GAO report shows that the VA has diverted or failed to utilize money that was intended for staffing at Vet Centers and has not provided a full accounting of what has happened to the funding.

The GAO is expected to issue a full report on these funding gaps later this year, but the preliminary results indicate a possible misuse of mental health dollars.

One-third of the veterans coming home from Iraq and Afghanistan come to the VA with mental health concerns. We have seen the cases of PTSD rise sharply along with the need for readjustment care when veterans return home. It is imperative that our Vet Centers have enough trained professionals to offer quality mental health services. There are 207 Vet Centers across the country. They are currently unable to deal with the increasing demand for mental health services. Each of these centers needs additional funding to hire sufficient staff to deal with the recent influx of patients.

John Rowan, National President of Vietnam Veterans of America, recently said, “The resources are not there in the VA Vet Centers.” Mr. Rowan went on to say that, “Not only is the mental health and well-being of veterans being placed at risk, the Vet Centers themselves are at risk. Because of significantly increased work loads, some centers have introduced waiting lists. Accommodating the ever-increasing demand for readjustment counseling is taking a heavy toll on already overworked staff.” We need to do more to help our veterans.

My amendment would provide $18 million to hire additional mental health staff at VA Vet Centers. This amount was recommended by the Vietnam Veterans of America to allow the VA to hire the appropriate staff needed to deal with the influx of veterans who need help. The Vietnam Veterans of America and the National Military Family Association support my amendment.

Our soldiers have sacrificed greatly for their country, and we owe them the best care when they return. Many wounds of war are not visible, which makes it that much more important that Vet Centers have all the resources they need to serve those veterans who are suffering in any way. I ask all my colleagues to support this amendment to provide appropriate funding to staff our Vet Centers.

Thank you.

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