Recently, I returned from a trip with the NATO Parliamentary Assembly, a group composed of members of parliaments from NATO nations tasked with strengthening partnerships between our countries. Part of our time was spent visiting the North Africa American Cemetery and Memorial in Tunisia, where 2,841 American World War II soldiers, including at least 160 Kentuckians, were laid to rest.
Seeing the vast number of American graves in just this one cemetery half-way around the world was a stark reminder of what our military men and women have given up for our safety, freedom and way of life. This is why it is so important that Congress keeps the promises we have made to veterans and their families to provide them with the best possible care and benefits.
Sadly, these promises have not been fulfilled in past years. This is made evident by the 400,000 veterans who are currently waiting for benefits while their cases languish in a massive backlog. Additionally, in recent years, veterans have seen an increase in health care fees while experiencing more difficulty accessing quality health care. Even more appalling, a recent study found that 1.8 million veterans are uninsured. Failing to provide our veterans with basic health services is unacceptable.
I could not mention veterans’ health care without pointing out the need for improved care for our soldiers returning from Iraq and Afghanistan. Most of you have heard of the problems at veterans’ hospitals like Walter Reed. After visiting this facility, I can assure you that we can and must do better for our returning war heroes.
Despite the dismal outlook for veterans seeking help in past years, the House of Representatives has finally given our brave men and women in uniform hope for a future of better care.
Earlier this month, the House passed the 2008 Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations bill, which provides the largest increase in funding to the VA in its entire 77-year history. Additionally, this legislation calls for over 1,000 more claims processors to reduce the backlog of veterans waiting for benefits, provides funding for maintenance of VA health care facilities, establishes new mental health centers to treat Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI) and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), and creates a system under which veterans can report deficiencies in VA facilities and care. As a member of the House Appropriations Committee, I am proud that, with this historic funding bill, we have finally met our moral responsibility to provide for our nation’s veterans.
While the House has made important steps toward maximizing services for veterans, we must not become complacent in the future. Many Kentucky families have relatives serving in the military, and we must remember that today’s soldier is tomorrow’s veteran. These veterans will need to be cared for as well, and it is our job to ensure that we have adequate resources to continue keeping our promises to veterans and their families in years to come.
To do this, we must continue to fully fund the VA. We must provide needed improvements to VA facilities. We must make certain that our veterans have access to quality health care and, perhaps most importantly, we must listen to our veterans and allow them to have a strong voice in our society. We owe at least this much to the brave men and women who have sacrificed so much for our country.
At the North Africa American Cemetery in Tunisia, Congressman Chandler placed an American Flag on the grave of Kentucky World War II veteran, Everett Hill.
