Testimony of Rep. Bart Stupak
Benefits Subcommittee of Veterans
Affairs
April 13, 2000
Mr. Chairman, thank you for the opportunity to
testify on behalf of my bill, H.R. 3816. I
appreciate your willingness to allow me to discuss this very important issue, which
affects veterans and their families all across the country.
The issue my bill addresses is a simple one. National Guard and Reservists are required
to undergo Inactive Duty for Training, or IDT, periodically. IDT encompasses a huge range
of activities in essence, the full range of training. Depending on what the unit's mission
is geared towards, IDT can be a fitness test, weapons training, or other potentially
stressful activities which can trigger an acute medical event such as a heart attack or
stroke.
If a Guard member or Reservist happens to suffer a stroke or a heart attack while
undergoing IDT, they are not eligible for benefits. This is patently unfair, especially as
IDT activities are mandatory, not optional. Under current law, if a Guard member or
Reservist on IDT suffers a heart attack or stroke the disability is characterized as due
to a "disease" and is not service-connected for purposes of benefits from the
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). If a Guard member or Reservist was on "active
duty" or "active duty for training" and became severely disabled or died,
regardless of the cause, the Guard member or Reservist or his dependents would be eligible
for benefits from the VA.
My bill, H.R. 3816, would address this discrepancy. This inequitable treatment of Guard
members and Reservists on "inactive duty for training" should be eliminated.
This issue was first brought to my attention by a case in my district. Master Sergeant Ron
Pearce, father of six and husband to Carol, was performing the mandatory Army Physical
Fitness Test. He had been suffering from a heart condition for some time, a condition that
was well known to his superiors. In the course of performing his fitness test, Master
Sergeant Pearce had a massive heart attack and died. His widow, a stay-at-home mother who
homeschooled her children, initially received benefits from the Department Veterans
Affairs. However, upon VA review, these benefits were denied her a few months later,
forcing her to find a part time job to support herself and her family. Upon further
research, I discovered several very disturbing cases along similar lines.
H.R. 3816, "The Inactive Duty for Training Fairness Act," will correct this
inequity. Members of the Guard and Reserve serve their country while on "inactive
duty for training." While on "inactive duty for training," if they
suffer a heart attack or stroke, those medical conditions should be considered by law to
be service-connected for the purpose of VA benefits.
Finally, I would like to mention the intent of this bill applies to very restrictive
categories
of injuries. Although the Congressional Budget Office has not yet released its final
estimate, initial evidence seems to indicate this would give benefits to a low number of
cases annually.
The members of the Guard and Reserve and their families deserve no less than the
enactment of this bill.
I thank the Committee again for having this hearing, and I urge markup of my bill as soon
as possible.
Back to Witness List |
