Wounded Warrior Project Statement on Senate and House Veterans Affairs Committees Conference Agreement
Washington, DC (July 29, 2014) – On behalf of the injured veterans and families who have and will continue to benefit from VA's TBI Assisted Living pilot program, Wounded Warrior Project is relieved to see that the Senate and House Veterans Affairs Committees listened to WWP's calls for action and included a three-year extension of the program in their compromise agreement.
This extension provides a reprieve for some of our nation's most severely injured veterans who would otherwise be evicted from their rehabilitation program in the absence of congressional action and would reopen the program for those who have been locked out since February.
WWP played an integral role in lobbying Congress to extend this pilot program; because of our efforts to mobilize veterans, supporters, and members of Congress to action, VA will continue providing the rehabilitative care and peace of mind that these veterans and their families have earned and deserve. We are grateful to the Conference Committee for recognizing and acting upon what WWP already knew: that age-appropriate, holistic rehabilitative TBI care is life-changing for this population of warriors and their families.
In addition to the extension of the pilot program, WWP is pleased to see the parties come together and agree on a significant piece of veterans’ legislation at a time when trust in VA health care has been put to the test. Importantly, the agreement provides emergency funding to pay for additional medical staff and to upgrade and expand VA health care facilities. Among several provisions that address veterans' benefits, wounded warriors will benefit from a requirement that public colleges and universities limit tuition costs for the post-9/11 GI bill beneficiaries to in-state tuition rates regardless of a veteran's state of residence.
But let us be clear: There is more work to be done. These provisions come as part of a larger agreement that attempts to improve access to timely and convenient health care at VA. Although WWP is encouraged to see compromise and progress from the Conference Committee, we are concerned that with a national shortage of primary care physicians and mental health providers, and a culture that allows access issues and cover-ups to fester, the promise of this legislation may not be fully realized.
Wounded Warrior Project remains committed to honoring and empowering wounded warriors and will continue to fight to assure that our warriors receive timely and effective care.
About Wounded Warrior Project
Since 2003, Wounded Warrior Project® (WWP) has been meeting the growing needs of warriors, their families, and caregivers — helping them achieve their highest ambition. Learn more.