In an email statement I received from Senator Jim Webb’s office yesterday, the Senator praised the Senate for passing the Dignified Treatment of Wounded Warriors Act. According to Webb’s office, “The legislation is designed to remedy serious problems with the way military service members, especially those wounded in Iraq and Afghanistan, are returned to military service or transitioned to care with the Department of Veterans Affairs” and “also authorizes a 3.5 percent pay raise for military personnel in fiscal year 2008.”
What I think must be noted is that despite the administration’s claim that it is the entity that is truly looking out for the best interests of our troops, this bill (which Senator Webb co-sponsored) actually gave the troops a larger pay raise than the Administration was advocating for. Furthermore, it took legislation like this to ensure that our wounded soldiers receive the services that they need and deserve.
The full statement from Senator Webb’s office can be read below the fold.
Washington, DC – Senator Jim Webb (D-VA) today applauded the Senate’s passage of the Dignified Treatment of Wounded Warriors Act. The legislation is designed to remedy serious problems with the way military service members, especially those wounded in Iraq and Afghanistan, are returned to military service or transitioned to care with the Department of Veterans Affairs. The bill also authorizes a 3.5 percent pay raise for military personnel in fiscal year 2008.
“I’m grateful that we will now be providing our troops the resources they deserve while on active duty and while transitioning back to their everyday lives,” said Senator Webb. “As a member of the Armed Services Committee, I am proud that this crucial piece of legislation has been passed by the Senate.”
As an original co-sponsor of the bill, Webb worked with the Armed Services Committee to add a provision requiring the Department of Defense to strengthen the treatment of those injured with traumatic brain injury (TBI) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Additionally, the bill authorizes an increase of 3.5 percent in basic military pay, compared to the Administration’s request of 3 percent.
Senator Webb also noted that the President’s Commission on Care for America’s Returning Wounded Warriors presented its findings to President Bush today, underscoring the need for such legislation. The report, co-authored by Bob Dole and Donna Shalala, included recommendations for the “first major overhaul of the disability system in over 50 years” and guaranteed care by the V.A. for individuals affected by post-traumatic stress disorder.
The Commission also called upon Congress and the White House to act quickly on its recommendations so that those serving in Iraq and Afghanistan can successfully transition to life outside of the war zone.
Other provisions of the bill:
- Require the Department of Defense and Department of Veterans Affairs to develop a comprehensive policy by January 1, 2008, on the care, management, and transition from the military to VA or civilian life of service members with a serious injury or illness
- Provide for enhanced health care, including its availability, care and services for dependents, and a comprehensive plan on the prevention, diagnosis, mitigation, and treatment of TBI and PTSD
- Direct the two agencies to develop and implement a joint electronic health record so that critical medical records are not lost as our wounded troops move from battlefield doctors to medical holds and on to the V.A.
- Require the Secretary of Defense, in consultation with the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, to carry out pilot programs to improve the DOD disability evaluation system
- Require the military to use VA standards for rating disabilities, only allowing deviation from VA standards when it will result in a higher disability rating for the service member
- Improve facilities for housing patients
- Establish centers of excellence for diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of TBI and PTSD
- Enhance disability severance pay
- Develop recommendations to address personnel shortages in the DOD mental health workforce
- Improve outreach and information available to members and their families on compensation and benefits available to those seriously injured or ill
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Filed under: Virginia Politics
