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:
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.
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.
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.
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.
http://technbiz.blogspot.com
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
check the record
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"
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.
Many go into the military because they want/need the structure; they don't know what else to do; they are enticed by the educational benefit afterwards, etc. etc. It's a fact. Furthermore, in this economy, they are signing up because they can't get a job. It's a fallback position--not active patriotism.
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.
I think that some posters are trying to take an article about veterans and turn it into a healthcare reform referendum.
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.
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.
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!