Issues Veterans Health Care
Vets Advocacy Act
The range of administrative and legal hurdles
injured servicemembers face when they return home is unacceptable.
For example, veterans I have met with in Wisconsin have told
me of long delays in claim processing by the Veterans Benefits
Administration (VBA). Telling the men and women who served
their country in the Armed Forces that they "just have
to wait" is unacceptable.
I introduced the Veterans Advocacy Act of 2007 because Congress
has a responsibility to aid our nation’s heroes in overcoming
these hurdles. The bill will create a pilot program to help
veterans and military personnel get advice from independent
and experienced legal advocates who can help the military
and Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) properly evaluate,
treat, and compensate them.
The legislation would provide grants
to veterans’ advocacy organizations that provide legal assistance
at no charge to those who have served, or currently serve,
in our Armed Forces. By fostering the growth of the existing
network of advocates, this bill will also ease the caseload
of overburdened service officers. This legislation is a simple
solution to help our veterans receive the care they have more
than earned.
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