[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 23 (Thursday, February 27, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Page S1747]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. ROBB:
  S. 374. A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to extend 
eligibility for hospital care and medical services under chapter 17 of 
that title to veterans who have been awarded the Purple Heart, and for 
other purposes; to the Committe on Veterans' Affairs.


             THE COMBAT VETERANS MEDICAL EQUITY ACT OF 1997

 Mr. ROBB. Mr. President, I introduce the Combat Veterans 
Medical Equity Act of 1997, legislation which will serve to codify 
America's obligation to provide for the medical needs of our combat-
wounded veterans.
  Although we have long recognized the combat-wounded vet to be among 
our most deserving veterans, and although we have long distinguished 
the sacrifices of these veterans by awarding the Purple Heart Medal, 
remarkably, there is nothing in current law that stipulates an 
entitlement to health care based upon this physical sacrifice. In fact, 
I believe most Americans would be surprised to learn that a combat-
wounded Purple Heart recipient could be denied services for which a 
noncombat veteran, with a non-service-connected disability, would be 
eligible. This legislation would seek to remedy that situation.
  Specifically, this bill establishes eligibility for VA hospital care 
and medical services based upon the award of the Purple Heart Medal. It 
also gives Purple Heart recipients an enrollment priority on par with 
former prisoners of war and veterans with service-connected 
disabilities rated between 10 and 20 percent.
  Mr. President, as a Vietnam veteran who has been privileged to lead 
marines in combat, and as a member of the Senate Armed Services 
Committee, I have a keen appreciation for the sacrifices made by all of 
our men and women in uniform. At the same time, in the face of tighter 
budgets and greater competition for services, I believe strongly that 
Congress should ensure equity in the disbursing of medical services for 
our most deserving of veterans--the combat wounded. These veterans, who 
have shed their blood to keep our country safe and free, deserve no 
less.
  Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be 
printed in the Record.
  There being no objection, the bill was ordered to be printed in the 
Record, as follows:

                                 S. 374

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

     SECTION 1. ELIGIBILITY FOR HOSPITAL CARE AND MEDICAL SERVICES 
                   BASED ON AWARD OF PURPLE HEART.

       (a) Eligibility.--Section 1710(a)(2) of title 38, United 
     States Code, is amended--
       (1) by striking out ``or'' at the end of subparagraph (F);
       (2) by redesignating subparagraph (G) as subparagraph (H); 
     and
       (3) by inserting after subparagraph (F) the following new 
     subparagraph (G):
       ``(G) who has been awarded the Purple Heart; or''.
       (b) Enrollment Priority.--Section 1705(a)(3) of such title 
     is amended--
       (1) by striking out ``and veterans'' and inserting in lieu 
     thereof ``veterans''; and
       (2) by inserting ``, and veterans whose eligibility for 
     care and services under this chapter is based solely on the 
     award of the Purple Heart'' before the period at the end.
       (c) Conforming Amendments.--(1) Section 1722(a) of such 
     title is amended by striking out ``section 1710(a)(2)(G)'' 
     and inserting in lieu thereof ``section 1710(a)(2)(H)''.
       (2) Section 5317(c)(3) of such title is amended by striking 
     out ``subsection (a)(2)(G),'' and inserting in lieu thereof 
     ``subsection (a)(2)(H),''
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