Wounded Warrior Project Testifying to Joint Veterans Committee

WASHINGTON, March 2, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Wounded Warrior Project^® (WWP) is bringing two legislative priorities to a joint Veterans Committee in Congress tomorrow. WWP places great importance on advocating for wounded veterans, their families, and caregivers.

WWP created and lobbied for the creation of the Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance Traumatic Injury Protection (TSGLI) and the Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act of 2010. Now WWP wants Congress to take action again.

Thursday, March 3, WWP will speak to the Joint Senate and House Veterans Committee, seeking new help for today's generation of wounded service members. WWP wants Congress to address two priorities during the legislative session.

WWP wants help for injured service members hoping to start a family. Currently, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) does not cover in vitro fertilization for wounded veterans. The Department of Defense (DOD), however, does offer this treatment for active-duty military and their spouses. Our belief is that veterans who return from combat zones with wounds that steal their ability to have children should have the same opportunities provided by the DOD.

Staff Sergeant Matthew Keil and his wife Tracy are one story where the government let our injured veterans down. A bullet pierced Matthew's neck and spinal cord in Ramadi, Iraq, leaving him a quadriplegic. Matt and Tracy were fortunate enough to be able to afford costly in vitro fertilization, not all wounded veterans in similar situations can cover the cost.

Another issue, a loophole in health care coverage for seriously wounded military retirees. Because those retirees who are the most seriously wounded qualify for Medicare, they end up losing access to their traditional TRICARE coverage and paying far higher annual healthcare premiums than their counterparts. Congress should close this loophole, restoring access to traditional, affordable TRICARE plans for the most seriously injured military retirees.

WWP will share stories with members of the Joint Senate and House Veterans Affairs Committee, showing the need for action.

WWP has invested in the long-term care for some of the nation's most seriously injured veterans. These are men and women who have suffered moderate-to-severe brain injury, spinal cord injury, or other neurological conditions. Wounded veterans' cognitive or physical challenges limit their opportunities to access resources in their communities. Through the Independence Program and Long-Term Support Trust, WWP provides individual plans for injured veterans that allow them to live life on their terms, and ensure care will be there, for life. To date, WWP has invested more than $110 million dollars in long-term care for wounded veterans.

About Wounded Warrior Project
The mission of Wounded Warrior Project^® (WWP) is to honor and empower Wounded Warriors. WWP's purpose is to raise awareness and to enlist the public's aid for the needs of injured service members, to help injured servicemen and women aid and assist each other, and to provide unique, direct programs and services to meet their needs. WWP is a national, nonpartisan organization headquartered in Jacksonville, Florida. To get involved and learn more, visit woundedwarriorproject.org.

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SOURCE Wounded Warrior Project