[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 116 (Thursday, August 1, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1441]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    CONGRESS' COMMITMENT TO VETERANS

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. J.D. HAYWORTH

                               of arizona

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, August 1, 1996

  Mr. HAYWORTH. Mr. Speaker, on July 30, 1996, the House of 
Representatives passed two bills that are critically important to our 
Nation's veterans: H.R. 3586, the Veterans Employment Opportunity Act, 
and H.R. 3118, the Veterans' Health Care Eligibility Reform Act of 
1996. These bills reaffirm Congress' commitment to veterans who came to 
the defense of our Nation in times of need.
  H.R. 3586 responds to growing concerns that the viability of 
veterans' preference in the Federal work force is being threatened. 
When veterans leave the military to become civil servants, they should 
not be forced to start their careers over again. Rather, their military 
experience should carry over into their Government service. 
Unfortunately, Mr. Speaker, this is not always the case. That is why it 
is important for Congress to pass this legislation, and forward it to 
the President for his signature.
  This bill rightly removes impediments veterans face during hiring, 
and strengthens their rights during agency downsizing. In addition, 
H.R. 3586 establishes, for the first time, a system for redress for 
veterans who believe their rights have been violated in the workplace. 
This legislation recognizes that veterans should have the same rights 
and privileges the rest of the work force enjoys. When veterans enter 
the workplace after serving their country, they will be no longer 
relegated to the status of second-class citizens. Rather, they will be 
rewarded with jobs that take into account their previous military 
experience.
  While veterans need and deserve jobs, they also need adequate and 
expanded health care. For this reason, the House passed H.R. 3118, 
which will update and simplify rules governing VA medical care and 
substantially expand veterans' eligibility to receive treatment on an 
outpatient basis. As the VA moves from expensive inpatient care to more 
cost-effective primary and outpatient care, it is important that 
Congress recognizes the potential of serving more veterans at a lower 
cost in outpatient centers. H.R. 3118 moves toward this goal by helping 
the VA shift its focus to outpatient centers so that more veterans will 
be able to access these facilities.
  Another key element of H.R. 3118 is expanded veterans' access to VA 
health care by eliminating statutory rules which for years have 
prohibited the VA from providing many veterans with routine outpatient 
treatment and preventive care. If this legislation becomes law, access 
will be expanded for veterans with service-incurred disabilities or low 
incomes by allowing them to receive their care at outpatient 
facilities, which has been prohibited by outdated rules. By shifting 
our focus to outpatient facilities, our Nation's veterans will be 
better served because these centers can provide care in less populated 
areas in a more cost-effective manner.
  Mr. Speaker, let me conclude by saying this: Every one of our 
Nation's veterans is a hero. Without them, our country might not be 
able to enjoy the freedom and prosperity that we, as Americans, cherish 
today. Veterans have kept their promises to the Government. We must 
honor our commitment to them by providing veterans with the necessary 
tools for survival. These include work and health care. H.R. 3568 and 
H.R. 3118 provide veterans with more work opportunity and expanded 
health care, and these bills personify this Congress' deep commitment 
to the veterans who valiantly fought for our great country. I commend 
my colleagues for supporting this legislation, and will continue to 
work with them to pass important legislation that benefits veterans.

                          ____________________