Renewing My Commitment To Our Veterans

Today, as we honor America's fallen soldiers, I ask you to join me in renewing our commitment to the men and women who have served our nation in the Armed Forces.

When I ran for Congress, I was clear about my opposition to the War in Iraq. But while I did not agree with President Bush 's policies, I worked hard in Congress to provide our servicemembers and returning veterans with the health care and educational opportunities they deserve.

Now I am renewing those efforts in the U.S. Senate. Last week I introduced legislation called PRO-VETS, to require the Veterans Administration to seek out and provide our returning heroes with information on the benefits they have earned. It will eliminate red-tape and bureaucratic bottlenecks, and require timely responses from the VA to all those who inquire about the benefits for which they are eligible.

I was shocked to find out the following statistics from my home state of New York:

• While there are 237,302 veterans in New York City , 181,360 are not receiving VA health care benefits.
• While there are 121,183 veterans in Western New York , 87,217 are not receiving VA health care benefits.
• While there are 85,401 veterans in Central New York , 61,220 are not receiving VA health care benefits.
• While there are 54,360 veterans in the Southern Tier , 39,277 are not receiving VA health care benefits.
• While there are 92,549 veterans in the Capital Region , 71,571 are not receiving VA health care benefits.
• While there are 46,762 veterans in the North Country , 35,085 are not receiving VA health care benefits.

My legislation would close the gap between what our veterans are eligible for and what they are receiving. As I say in the news piece below, this is about shifting the focus of the VA to become pro-active, not reactive.

While the US government provides our veterans with many benefits, I believe there is much more still to be done to fulfill our promise to those who risk their lives for our country.

• We need to expand health benefits to include treatment of autism for children of retired and active duty servicemembers.
• We need to repeal Don't Ask Don't Tell to allow our soldiers to serve openly and honestly, regardless of sexual orientation.
• We need to expand access to healthcare for veterans and their families, including universal pre-natal care.
• We need to provide incentives to businesses in order to expand the opportunities available to our veterans upon their return to civilian life.

In the meantime, it is my hope that my PRO-VETS bill, once passed and signed into law, will at least help veterans take advantage of the benefits that do exist. For me, this bill is my small way of saying thanks to our brave veterans for their service to our country. I encourage you all to join me in honoring our veterans and service personnel, not just today but every day. They and their families have earned our thanks and our support.

Comments

[bighat]

I am fine with getting rid of the dont ask dont tell. People very quickly forget. during Vietnam many people went to Canada or other places because of the draft. Now all you have to do is say you are gay. Nuff said

Draft could come back at any time. Sooner rather than later. We are learning in Iraq and Afghanistan that you cannot just keep the same people returning tour after tour and expanding the lengths of those tours. These troops are on guard 24/7. As we have all seen the picture of I love NY. Not like WWII where there was some R&R. and Winston Churchill insisting on the frontline troops getting their beer before the desk jockeys.

[bighat]

One other thing for all those wanting a national health care system. If we do not take care of the veterans (people who put their lives on the line for our commander in chief and thus America) then how will the govt take care of the rest of us. Anyone remember the horrible conditions at Walter Reed hospital. A n active duty veterans hospital

[bighat]

I could care less if you for any war or not. I would just like to know how and why did someone bring up the idea of forcing veterans to buy extra insurance to cover their injuries they receive while on duty in a declared war. The idea that these troops knew what they were getting into and should pay is just wrong. The health care of any veteran and their families should be at the top of congress's list. The soldiers go where the commander in chief orders them to go. And congress has to authorize the funds.

no one calls up the troops individually and asks did you get that extra insurance in case you are injured in Afghanistan. No, stay home I am sure Sam, Bob Ethel, and Heather did.

[mimspoot]

I love this senator... She rocks!

[Paramendra Bhagat]

The numbers are truly shocking.

http://technbiz.blogspot.com

[Berettasskeeter]

Senator, two questions, if you will.
Your numbers do not indicate the number of vets who either do not require VA assistance or do not desire VA assistance. This lack indicates a lack of research on your part. Can you elaborate?
Secondly, you indicate a desire to assist our veterans, and yet you support debasing our Constitution, for which they have served and fought. How does your support for anti-gun legislation lend assistance to our vets, when they see you hurting what they have fought for??
Semper fi

[NYC]

your research leaves something to be desired. There was only one anti-gun legislative action taken while Senator Gillibrand was in congress and she voted in favor of it.

check the record

[floridafun]

i applaud your goals and look forward to seeing results..its about time someone other than the vets families had concerns about these problems. go kirsten!!

[urfree2speak]

Okay, lets work toward making sure that ALL VETERANS are receiving good quality medical care. The political hot potato is that no one really wants to "change" the status quo when it comes to the creation by the V.A. and Congress of class discrimination among the American Veterans in the U.S.
depending on the "war" or police action that the vet fought in. Plus while the V.A. and its many employees do strive to provide some semblance of care, it is in many cases an uphill battle. Sen. please note that the "central office" V.A. patient care needs complete overhauling. example: (1) Man handles ALL vet patient care complaints and resolutions in the "V.A. Hospital Central Office. Patient Advocates are impotent inside the V.A. Hospitals, and 1151 process is a "JOKE"

[MaryAnnVicki]

Instead of expanding health benefits to just one class of workers (military personnel) please work to give all Americans health benefits through Universal Health Care.
Let's fix the economy so that all unemployed workers can get jobs not just give preference to one group on unemployed workers (ex-military workers).
People injured while on the job should be covered by inclusive workmen's comp whether they were injured in the military or driving a bus.
Let us remember that joining the military is a choice of job just as being a school teacher or being a cashier in Walmart.

[MerhabaAbi]

The United States has never drafted school-teahers or cashiers. You seem to not understand the risk and sacrifice our volunteer military personnel undertake in the name of active patriotism. Sporting a yellow magnetic ribbon does not support our troops. Comparing a soldier, sailor, marine or airman to a cashier is and exercise in laziness, you should feel ashamed.

[JRsNana]

The people currently serving in the US military were not drafted either. I think your attack on MaryAnnVicki was a bit harsh. I don't think she was comparing the work, I think she was comparing their shared country.

[Beth Borzone - Huffpost Blogger]

Senator,

Thanks for taking care of the veterans who were really neglected under President G.W. Bush.

I hope you will also consider co-sponsoring S. 703 to help provide medicare for all. I know too many New Yorkers who don't have health insurance and those that do are totally stressed out about how they are going to cover their families, especially if they lose their jobs in the coming months.

Please! If you research how Canada did it, you will see that good quality service can be provided more economically. Businesses will be freed up and be able to focus on becoming profitable; citizens will be healthier. Everybody wins with Medicare for all.

[minifastcar]

As a veteran of the armed services, post 9-11, I am deeply confused by the statement, "veterans who were really neglected under President G.W. Bush." To take into consideration first, I tried to decipher what was meant by "neglected." I failed. Secondly, I tried to brainstorm what was meant by "really neglected." Once again, I failed. I believe that my ignorance of the use of "neglected" led to me not understanding what "really neglected" means. While there are some who do complain, like in all situations that one can encounter, it has been my humbling opinion that Veteran Affairs offers great services to our returning men and women, including myself. I would like to offer to the readers of this posting, not all has failed within the Department of Veteran Affairs. Nevertheless, I am somewhat concerned by the so called neglect, that some insist occurs. Ms. Borzone, or whomever wishes to reply, could you please cite, or provide substantiated examples, of neglected veterans and/or really neglected veterans?

[MerhabaAbi]

Hi Fast Car,

I think that some posters are trying to take an article about veterans and turn it into a healthcare reform referendum.

[RickCoMatic]

Senator Gillibrand:

Your numbers game is impressive.
But, the situation isn't going to be right until the number of Combat Injured Veterans who are NOT being properly cared for is ZERO.

Army Specialist Joseph Morrone, a Saratoga Springs NY native, is a Vietnam War Veteran who has suffered his whole life from exposure to Agent Orange.
See if you can get the Government to do something for this Disabled Veteran.

[simonbry]

I agree, Joe was my neighbor for a lot of years, I want him to receive the best treatment, thank you for mentioning him.

[secret38b]

After reading this post, I'll have to go and see what my senators views are on this matter. Being a Disabled Vet, I truly believe my VA medical Center does a good job in taking care of me, however when I'm at the Medical Center, I hear a lot of Vets saying lots of negative things. Time to start making calls, and writing letters just in case my senators are not up to par. Good for you Senator Gillibrand.

[Wisco12]

Very nice to hear something this important from a senator, hopefully we'll see you backing this up soon with some action!!

[JustSoTired]

Senator:
That's very commendable. Please also address the rape and sexual abuse and harrassment of the women in our military, the inadequate mental health care that active-duty soldiers receive, and, MOST IMPORTANTLY, the severe underfunding of the proper equipment to protect our soldiers, such as sturdy flack jackets and vehicles that can withstands roadside bombs. I will never understand, with the TRILLIONS that have been spent on the war in Iraq, why we can't spend enough to protect our heroic soldiers, all of whom have volunteered to protect us? Someone in Congress must immediately put forth a bill authorizing the funding of these things. Why not you?
Thank you.

[schatsie]

As a mother of a soldier who served in Iraq and the grandmother of an autistic child, I thank you!
As a relative of an Agent Orange victim, I thank you!
As a mother who had nightmares about being told her son was dead in Iraq, I thank you!