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House Approves Miller Legislation Improving Veterans' Health Care Benefits

Last night, the House of Representatives approved two veterans-related bills, including one introduced by Jeff Miller (R-FL-01), that makes hospice care more affordable for veterans.

Miller's bill H.R. 2623, would prohibit the collection of co-payments for all hospice care furnished by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

"This legislation corrects an inequity in current law that penalizes a veteran who chooses to remain at home for their hospice care or out of medical necessity receives hospice care in an acute care setting," said Jeff Miller, ranking member of the Subcommittee on Health. "It is important to ensuring that all end-of-life care for veterans is provided in an equitable and compassionate manner."

The House also passed H.R. 2874, the Veterans' Health Care Improvement Act of 2007, which would establish a number of meaningful improvements in the delivery of veteran's health care.

"This is a much needed bill that has strong bipartisan support and helps the VA provide better care for our nation's veterans." Miller said

The bill would provide innovative transportation options for veterans in remote rural areas to improve access to VA medical facilities. H.R. 2874 would enhance readjustment counseling and mental health services for Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom veterans through peer outreach and support programs.

H.R. 2874 would permanently grant free VA health care for veterans who participated in certain Department of Defense (DoD) biological and chemical warfare testing during the Cold War, require VA domiciliary programs to have adequate and safe environments to meet the needs of women veterans and expand referral and counseling services for veterans at risk for homelessness transitioning from penal institutions or institutions providing long-term care for mental illness.

Further, the bill would modify requirements for homeless veterans to receive dental care and provide financial assistance for supportive services for very low-income veterans living in permanent housing.

To send a comment to Congressman Miller: http://www.gulf1.com/Elected/JeffMiller/Jeffmail.htm