Jay Inslee: Washington's 1st Congressional District
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Inslee Introduces Veterans Legislation
Mr. INSLEE: Mr. Speaker, today I introduce the Veterans Commemoration Act of 2000. This piece of legislation will help to alleviate a serious impediment to adequate health care for our veterans.
Many veterans have trouble getting to and from VA hospitals. The legislation that I am introducing today would create a coin commemorating Executive Order 5398, signed by President Herbert Hoover on July 21, 1930, which established the Veterans Administration. The proceeds from the sale of this coin would fund a transportation program for veterans , provided by the Disabled American Veterans.
This program provides a much-needed service to our nation's veterans. The DAV provides transportation services to veterans to and from VA hospitals. Considering the fact that many veterans live far away from VA hospitals and are disabled, the lack of transportation can be a very serious impediment to adequate health care.
In my home state of Washington, the Veterans Administration hospital in Seattle serves the entire Pacific Northwest. Many of the patients who rely upon the care provided by the VA have severe disabilities that prevent them from easily accessing the clinic. Public transportation serves those veterans that live in the Metropolitan area, but for the thousands of veterans without access to public transportation, the DAV steps in to provide door to door services. This essential program is truly the missing link for veterans' health care.
The DAV has recognized this need by creating the transportation program. This program has been very successful so far. But it only operates in a few select areas and serves only a handful of veterans. This program should be available to all veterans, but the DAV simply cannot afford to fund a project of that magnitude. This bill would create the funds necessary to expand this program.
With no cost to the taxpayer, we can help our nation's veterans and show them that their needs are important. We must show our support to the brave men and women who have risked their lives to serve this country. This unique program, provided by the DAV, deserves our support.
Today I stand with over 150 of my colleagues to introduce this legislation. This bipartisan bill has diverse and broad support. We have the time and the support to pass this bill now. We should not wait for the next Congress to take action when we have the ability and the will to do so now. I urge my colleagues to stand with me and with the Disabled American Veterans to pass this bill and support our veterans.