[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 132 (Monday, October 4, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2023]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          PERSONAL EXPLANATION

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. STENY H. HOYER

                              of maryland

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, October 4, 1999

  Mr. HOYER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 2116, the 
Veterans Millennium Health Care Act. On September 21, the bill passed 
the House on suspension and I inadvertently voted ``no.''
  Mr. Speaker, the Veterans Millennium Health Care Act is an important 
step forward toward addressing the health care needs of our Nation's 
veterans. For far too long the call for long-term care has gone 
unanswered. The bill establishes a long-term care benefit for any 
veteran with a 50-percent or greater disability.
  It allows the Veterans Administration (VA) greater flexibility to 
adjust copayments for services like eyeglasses and pharmaceuticals. The 
legislation enables the VA to cover the emergency care of uninsured 
veterans and directs them to realign inefficient facilities provided 
the savings are reinvested locally in the community to improve 
veterans' care.
  Mr. Speaker, H.R. 2116 has the strong support of the veterans 
community and I am proud to support it.

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