Opening Statement

Senator Daniel K. Akaka
Chairman
Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs 

Aloha. Before I make my opening remarks for today's hearing, I have an announcement. For those of you who may not have heard the news, VA has approved a grant to make significant improvements to the West Hawaii Veterans Cemetery here in Kona. VA Under Secretary Tuerk advised the Committee of this development during his testimony at our hearing in Honolulu. I could not be more pleased that we were able to get this done for Hawaii's veterans.

Now, I'd like to welcome everyone to the third and final official hearing of the Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs that I am chairing here in the State this month.

We held similar hearings at the beginning of 2006. Much has improved since that time, for which I am grateful, but it is important for the Committee to understand the remaining challenges.

The focus of this hearing will be on access to VA health care for veterans living in Kona, and on the effectiveness of VA's outreach to redeploying and separating members of the Guard and Reserve in Hawaii. We are all aware that after Vietnam and other wars, some servicemembers who honorably served their Nation were not provided with the care and services that they needed to reintegrate into society. Caring for returning servicemembers must be considered part of the continuing cost of war. It is important that we look not only at the quality of care that is provided, but also at the outreach process to notify separating servicemembers of what they are entitled to, and what VA can do for them.

We must ensure that adequate levels of care and services are available to those that leave the Armed Forces, including members of the Guard and Reserve. We have learned that the earlier a veteran receives care after separation from the military, the lower the risk of him or her developing a long-term problem.

With this in mind, an important part of the Dignified Treatment of Wounded Warriors Act, which recently passed the United States Senate, is my provision to extend the period of eligibility for VA health care for combat veterans of the Persian Gulf War, and subsequent wars, from two years to five years after discharge or release. The Senate bill includes Veterans' Affairs Committee-sponsored provisions that will improve access to mental health care, extend the application period for dental benefits following discharge, and designate the National Guard and Reserve as integral components of VA's outreach program. The Dignified Treatment of Wounded Warriors Act was truly a collaborative effort between the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee and the Senate Armed Services Committee.

Finally, I note that there are many veterans here today who would like to testify. While we cannot accommodate everyone's request to speak, I do want to hear your views. The Committee is accepting written testimony which will be reviewed and made part of the record of today's hearing. If you have brought written testimony with you, please give it to Committee staff, who are located in the back of the room. If you do not have written testimony but would like to submit something, Committee staff will assist you. In addition, the Committee staff is joined by VA staff who can respond to the questions, concerns, and comments that you raise.

Once again, mahalo to all who are in attendance today. I look forward to hearing from today's witnesses.