Today, Jeff Miller (FL-01), Chairman of the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, expressed frustration with the release of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) implementation...
Today, Jeff Miller (FL-01), Chairman of the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, expressed frustration with the release of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) implementation plan for veteran caregiver assistance, required by Public Law 111-163.
“Family caregivers often drive the recovery of our wounded warriors, and have already waited way too long for the comprehensive assistance Congress provided in the law” commented Miller.
The Obama Administration has yet to provide the complete array of caregiver supportive services enacted in the law to assist family caregivers of veterans severely wounded in the War on Terror. Just yesterday, the Obama Administration submitted a report to Congress that was due last November outlining its plans to implement the law.
“President Obama signed this legislation last May with a tremendous amount of goodwill from caregivers and veterans’ advocates. It troubles me that the first public plan the administration has put forward has been met with serious concern from those same advocates,” continued Miller. “We must work together moving forward and I will listen to all views, but I pledge to these veterans and caregivers that we will get this right.”
“Caring for the severely wounded returning from combat and their loved ones is the reason for VA’s existence. Within a budget of $125 billion, funding for this core group must be a top priority,” concluded Miller.