Congressman Cohen Wins Increase in Veterans Health Care

“Our veterans deserve the best care that our nation can provide for them. Unfortunately, there is a shortage of medical professionals in rural and underserved areas, and we need to do everything we can to encourage them to serve our veterans,” Congressman Cohen said. “This modest increase in funding could swell the ranks of the VA’s doctors, nurses and mental health care professionals by providing them with help to alleviate their student loan debts.  It’s a real win-win.”

Congressman Chet Edwards (TX-17), Chairman of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Military Construction, Veterans Affairs and Related Agencies, said, “Our veterans deserve nothing less than the best and brightest doctors, nurses and mental health professionals caring for them.  Congressman Cohen’s amendment will help to encourage medical professionals to use their talents in support of those who have bravely served their nation.  I commend him for his effort and was proud to join with him in support of his proposal.”

The Cohen amendment increases funds by $1 million to the Medical Services account at the VA with an offset to the General Operating Expenses account.  This increase could enable the VA to increase the budget to its Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP). 

Started in 1998, the Education and Debt Reduction Program is an excellent asset to VA. The program is a loan repayment and debt cancellation program specifically for VA medical personnel.  It helps the VA to recruit and retain the most competitive and qualified professionals. 

This increase could help the VA to hire and retain the best doctors, nurses, clinicians, psychologists, psychiatrists and other medical employees who are so critical to the treatment and care of our veterans.  In years passed, more medical personnel have wanted to participate in EDRP but were unable to enroll because of funding restrictions.

Additional Background on the
Fiscal Year 2010 Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Act

The Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Act – which Congressman Cohen voted to support today -- will strengthen quality health care for more than six million patients – including 419,000 veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. The bill also provides advance funds for veterans health services in 2011, so that funding for our veterans’ health care is timely, reliable, and never held hostage by political maneuvering.

The legislation includes improvements in electronic health records and paperless benefits processing to make veterans health care more efficient, additional oversight and auditing of our veterans health care system, and new practices to improve access to care for veterans in rural areas. The bill also invests in mental health services and critical medical and prosthetic research to serve our wounded warriors returning from battle. 

To support our troops, the bill provides funding to construct key facilities for training and housing, addressing the unfunded backlog of barracks for the young men and women entering the service. It also includes funding for the guard and reserve initiative, to recognize the critical contribution made by reserve personnel and address urgent unfunded requirements. It takes additional steps to support the military families who give so much in service to this country – with military child care centers, military family housing, and additional Vets Centers to provide community-based readjustment counseling for veterans and their families.

“Supporting our troops and veterans means taking action to provide for them, not just repeating rhetoric,” Congressman Cohen said.  “I am proud of our troops and veterans. I am grateful for their service and immeasurable sacrifice, and I wholeheartedly support this legislation to give them the services they have earned.”

The legislation now moves to the U.S. Senate for its consideration.

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________________________
Steven Broderick
Communications Director
Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-9)
1005 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
Direct: 202-226-7916
Main: 202-225-3265
steven.broderick@mail.house.gov