Lummis Introduces Bill to Protect Veterans Health Care

Statement

Lummis Introduces Bill to Protect Veterans Health Care

U.S. Representative Cynthia Lummis, R-Wyo., has introduced legislation stating that the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) should take full responsibility for providing veterans' health care benefits to disabled veterans. The bill, H.Res. 249, is the first piece of legislation Lummis has introduced since being sworn in.

"The federal government has an absolute moral responsibility to provide the highest caliber health care to our nation's veterans," Lummis said. "Any attempt to force veterans to rely on private insurance companies to receive their VA benefits is contradictory to the mission of the VA and the obligations we owe them. I won't stand for it."

The Obama administration recently revealed an unprecedented plan to require private insurance carriers to pay for the treatment of military veterans who sustained service related injuries.

"The Veterans of Foreign Wars, Department of Wyoming, fully supports Representative Lummis' resolution to block any attempt by the VA or the Obama administration to require any service member or veteran to have his or her private insurance company pay any medical costs for illnesses or injuries that occurred while they were in the service of our country," said Jim Pedersen, Commander of the Wyoming Department of Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW).

"The VA health care system exists to provide quality health care to their core constituency: the service connected veteran," said Bob Craft, VFW Department of Wyoming Veterans Service Officer. "The VFW is strongly opposed to billing private health insurance companies for those combat wounds, injuries or diseases incurred by those defending our nation. The administration should not be allowed to pass the costs of caring for wounded or disabled veterans to the private sector. A major concern is higher health care premiums could discourage employers from hiring disabled veterans. As it is, veterans face significant obstacles when re-entering the job market after completing military service, health care payments should not be added to the list."

"Many disabled veterans purchase supplemental insurance coverage for themselves and their families to meet healthcare needs not covered by the benefits they earned through their military service," Lummis continued. "Veterans who purchase supplemental health insurance should not be punished for that decision. I believe the President's proposal does just that."

"I urge the House to stand up for America's veterans and reaffirm our commitment to ensuring the care they receive is worthy of the tremendous sacrifices they have given to our nation."

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