[Congressional Bills 109th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 2708 Introduced in Senate (IS)]








109th CONGRESS
  2d Session
                                S. 2708

    To amend title 38, United States Code, to provide an enrollment 
priority for veterans, who are recipients of certain medals for valor, 
in health care services provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                              May 3, 2006

   Mr. Akaka introduced the following bill; which was read twice and 
             referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL


 
    To amend title 38, United States Code, to provide an enrollment 
priority for veterans, who are recipients of certain medals for valor, 
in health care services provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. ENROLLMENT PRIORITY FOR HEALTH CARE BENEFITS OF VETERANS WHO 
              ARE RECIPIENTS OF CERTAIN MEDALS AND AWARDS.

    Section 1705(a) of title 38, United States Code, is amended by 
striking paragraph (3) and inserting the following new paragraph (3):
            ``(3) Veterans who--
                    ``(A) are former prisoners of war or were awarded 
                the Purple Heart;
                    ``(B) were awarded--
                            ``(i) the medal of honor;
                            ``(ii) the distinguished-service cross, 
                        Navy cross, or Air Force cross;
                            ``(iii) the silver star; or
                            ``(iv) any other medal for valor or heroism 
                        accorded a position in the order of precedence 
                        of awards and decorations authorized to be 
                        awarded to members of the Armed Forces that is 
                        equal to or higher than the order of precedence 
                        accorded to the silver star medal;
                    ``(C) have a service-connected disability rated 10 
                percent or 20 percent; or
                    ``(D) are described in subparagraphs (B) and (C) of 
                section 1710(a)(2) of this title.''.
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