Congressman Tom Perriello proposes bills to improve rural Veterans healthcare
Published: May 26, 2009
Ferrum - Congressman Tom Perriello is ramping up efforts to expand health care access to veterans in rural areas. He is proposing a series of legislative initiatives to give rural veterans more health care options: increasing access to care at Community Health Centers and Community Based Outpatient Clinics; expanding telemedicine and home visits by nurses and health aides; and assisting with transportation to medical facilities. Joined by area veterans, he made the announcement today at the Ferrum Community Health Center. Throughout the Memorial Day recess, he will be road-testing the various initiatives by visiting local CHCs and CBOCs, holding a meeting with his Veterans Advisory Board, and holding a town hall meeting for veterans, getting their feedback on the proposed legislation.
“Our veterans who fought to protect our freedom deserve nothing less than world-class healthcare when they return. But for veterans in rural areas, care can sometimes mean driving long distances or limited options,” said Perriello. “I want to ensure veterans in our small towns and rural communities have increased access to community clinics, better transportation, and telemedicine.”
Perriello has also co-sponsored H.R. 1016, the Veterans Health Care Budget Reform and Transparency Act of 2009, a bill that is a top priority for every major veteran service organization. H.R. 1016 would authorize Congress to provide VA medical care funding one year in advance, which would allow the VA additional time to plan how to deliver the most efficient and effective care to veterans.
Reader Reactions
For decades our government has done a very good job of saving taxpayers’ money with inadequate Veterans Affairs funding.
President Obama recently made excellent leadership appointments to Veterans Affairs. Even with their proven leadership abilities, and impeccable credentials, both Secretary Eric Shinseki and Deputy Secretary W. Scott Gould are facing the cumulative inadequacies of decades past. The tiny fuse of overmedication that has kept this whole VA system operational for 30-some years now desperately needs to be replaced with major re-wiring.
This young generation of veterans should not have to experience the palliative treatment of health care most veterans using the VA have experienced for decades. It would be great to see the VA step into the 21st century as the leader in world-class health care.
But after decades of under-funding, this proposed new VA budget is not enough. For our new leadership to achieve its full potential along with world-class VA health care, a one-time, additional funding of at least $17 billion is desperately needed.
The VA has many good doctors working there who will feel much relief to actually have the opportunity to treat their patients instead of just medicating their symptoms.
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