Veterans Affairs Committee approves legislation to improve vets’ health care
The House Veterans Affairs Committee approved three bills on Thursday that aim to improve health care for veterans.
The bills, which all passed on voice votes, range from covering medical conditions arising from exposure to chemical or biological weapons under the VA health plan to establishing standards of medical access and care provided to veterans by the department.
Citing the extent of hazards posed by exposure to chemical or biological warfare, Rep. Rob Simmons, R-Conn., called the Shipboard Hazard and Defense (SHAD) portion of H.R. 2433 "the most interesting and substantial." SHAD was part of Project 112, a trial to determine the vulnerabilities of biological and chemical warfare on U.S. ships between 1962 and 1973. Other tests, under Project 112, were conducted for susceptibilities on land.
The panel did not heavily debate H.R. 2357, which would develop medical care and access standards for vets. But Rep. Michael Bilirakis, R-Fla., asserted that the measure left out an important topic-improving the access of veterans to pharmaceutical drugs. Under current law, veterans who receive a written prescription from a civilian physician cannot have it filled at a veterans' hospital. The only exception is for veterans already receiving pensions or housebound benefits. In that case, they can get prescribed medication from a VA hospital.
The committee decided to postpone the discussion of prescription benefits out of courtesy to its sponsor, Rep. Ginny Brown-Waite, R-Fla., who was unable to attend the mark-up.
The panel also approved funding for construction to improve, establish and update veteran's patient care on Thursday. H.R. 1720 allocates money for hospitals, rehabilitation, physical therapies and other health care needs. It specifically reserves money for children with spina bifida, an effect of a veteran-parent's exposure to herbicides like Agent Orange.
Rep. Henry Brown, R-S.C., offered an amendment to conduct a study of shared veterans' health care facilities. Rep. Shelley Berkley, D-Nev., said that shared facilities "do not work" in southern Nevada, but that Brown deserves to "find out by himself" if the plan works in other locations. The amendment passed on a voice vote.