Volume 16, No.4, Fall 2008

CAPITOL HILL REPORT

Congressional Actions Help Assure Adequate Healthcare For Veterans

By Congressman Bill Delahunt

Washington—Today I’m writing about an issue that I hear first-hand greatly concerns my constituents on Cape Cod, the Islands, and the South Shore–the need for more adequate care for our veterans.

Those who have put their lives on the line in service to our country deserve the best care when they return. Many who agreed to serve were promised access to health care and this solemn commitment should never be broken in the name of bureaucratic or budgetary efficiency.

Therefore, I am pleased to report that the Congress this fall passed legislation that was signed into law to authorize the greatest annual increase in veterans’ healthcare in history.

I’d like to share with you some of the details of this landmark legislation:

It is important to note how this will affect Massachusetts. In the Commonwealth alone, more than $1.8 billion worth of benefits, healthcare and other services will be provided for its veteran population from this legislation.

All of this news is welcome of course, but our vigilance must remain high. The creation and expansion of the Hyannis Community Based Outpatient Clinic, the successful battle to save the area’s four major medical centers from consolidation under CARES and the increased resources for patient care are important victories.

But the struggle to care for those who have worn the uniform is constant. It is my duty to keep working in Congress to fulfill that obligation–an obligation that I welcome and will uphold.