II 110th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 1147 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES April 18, 2007 Mrs. Murray 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 terminate the administrative freeze on the enrollment into the health care system of the Department of Veterans Affairs of veterans in the lowest priority category for enrollment (referred to as Priority 8).

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Honor Our Commitment to Veterans Act.

2.

Findings

Congress makes the following findings: (1)Over 273,000 veterans have been barred from receiving health care provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs as a result of a freeze on the enrollment of veterans who are in the lowest priority category for enrollment (referred to as Priority 8). (2)Veterans with incomes as low as $26,902 have been barred from receiving health care from the Department of Veterans Affairs by reason of the freeze. (3)Hundreds of thousands of veterans are returning home, or will return home, from Afghanistan and Iraq and may be denied needed long-term benefits due to the freeze. (4)The average veteran whose benefits are frozen is 62.8 years old and is entering a time in life when health benefits are needed most.

3.

Termination of administrative freeze on enrollment in health care system of the Department of Veterans Affairs

Section 1705 of title 38, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection: (d)The Secretary shall administer the health care enrollment system under this section so as to enroll any veteran who is eligible under this section for such enrollment and who applies for such enrollment. .