(Washington, DC) - Congressman Baron Hill supported several pieces of legislation last week aimed at improving and reforming veterans’ health services.  One of those, H.R. 1016, The Veterans Health Care Budget Reform and Transparency Act, authorizes Congress to approve veterans’ medical care funding one year in advance to better anticipate, and meet the demand for, veterans’ health care services. The advanced funding will give the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (VA) up to a full year to plan for the most effective and efficient way of delivering medical care. Hill also voted to expand services for female veterans and increase veterans’ disability payments to reflect cost-of-living increases.

The issue of advanced funding is a top priority for veteran service organizations. Over 40 groups, including the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, AMVETS, Disabled American Veterans and the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, have come out in support of the legislation.

“VA funding is a critical issue and should be made a top priority, as reflected by this bill,” Hill said.  “Veterans’ issues in general are, and will continue to be, a top priority for this Congress.”

The Women Veterans Health Care Improvement Act, also passed by the House last week, addresses the specific issues faced by women veterans – expanding and improving the health care services available to them, and working to make those services more accessible. 

In addition, Hill also supported H.R. 1172, which requires the VA to maintain a list of organizations that provide scholarships to veterans and their survivors on their web site.  And, he voted for S. 407, the Veterans’ Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act, which calls for increasing veterans’ disability payments to reflect cost-of-living increases.

The bills passed last week build on a significant record of accomplishment for veterans and troops compiled over the last two and a half years - including the New GI Bill, progress in improving veterans’ hospitals and facilities, expanding economic opportunities for returning soldiers and improving care for those with PTSD.