Walberg Supports Legislation to Modernize Veterans Health Care and Benefits

Today, Congressman Tim Walberg (MI-05) supported H.R. 9237, the Take Care of America's Veterans Act, as the legislation passed the House. This legislative package includes more than 60 bipartisan bills to modernize, enhance, and reform the delivery of health care and benefits services at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

"This Veterans Day, we honor the brave men and women who have served our nation in uniform and recognize the sacrifices they and their families have made to protect our freedoms," said Rep. Walberg. "The Take Care of America's Veterans Act is a historic legislative package that will expand benefits, health care access, and economic opportunities for millions of veterans and their families. By modernizing the VA and eliminating bureaucratic overreach, we can ensure veterans have access to the services and benefits they have so rightfully earned."

Background

The Take Care of America's Veterans Act is comprehensive legislation to improve health care, benefits, and services for veterans, servicemembers, survivors, caregivers, military families, and VA staff, including the following priorities:

• The Major Richard Star Act, which would allow medically retired veterans with combat-related disabilities to receive their military retirement pay from DOW and disability compensation from the VA.
• The Veterans' ACCESS Act, which would make it easier for veterans at risk of suicide and overdose to get life-saving treatment and expand access to care in VA medical facilities and the community.
• The Love Lives On Act, which would end the remarriage penalty and allow surviving spouses of fallen servicemembers and veterans to remarry without losing the benefits they need to support their families.
• The Sharri Briley and Eric Edmundson Veterans Benefits Expansion Act, which would increase compensation benefits for veterans with severe service-connected disabilities and for surviving spouses.