[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 34 (Thursday, March 21, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E431]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       THE HOSPITALIZED VETERANS FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE ACT OF 2002

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                            HON. SUSAN DAVIS

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 20, 2002

  Mrs. DAVIS of California. Mr. Speaker, today I have the pleasure to 
introduce the Hospitalized Veterans Financial Assistance Act of 2002 
and thank my Veterans Affairs Committee colleagues, Committee Ranking 
Member Lane Evans, Benefits Subcommittee Ranking Member Silvestre 
Reyes, and fellow Benefits Subcommittee member Corrine Brown who have 
joined me on this important legislation.
  I would also like to thank the authors of the Independent Budget who 
brought this critical issue to our attention. In short, current law 
subjects many hospitalized veterans to a financial hardship. Let me 
explain further.
  An inequity exists in current law controlling the beginning date for 
payment of increased compensation based on periods of incapacity due to 
hospitalization or convalescence. Hospitalization in excess of 21 days 
for a service-connected disability entitles the veteran to a temporary 
total disability rating. This rating is effective the first day of 
hospitalization and continues to the last day of the month of hospital 
discharge. Similarly, where surgery for a service-connected disability 
necessitates at least I month's convalescence or causes complications, 
or where immobilization of a major joint by cast is necessary, a 
temporary total rating is awarded effective the date of hospital 
admission or outpatient visit.
  While the effective date of the temporary total disability rating 
corresponds to the beginning date of hospitalization or treatment, 
under current law (38 U.S.C. Sec. 5111) the effective date for payment 
purposes is delayed until the first day of the month following the 
effective date of the increased rating.
  This provision deprives veterans of any increase in compensation to 
offset the total disability during the first month in which temporary 
total disability occurs. This deprivation and consequent delay in the 
payment of increased compensation often jeopardizes disabled veterans' 
financial security and unfairly causes them hardships.
  The Hospitalized Veterans Financial Assistance Act of 2002 would 
allow for payment of benefits in all hospitalization and convalescent 
claims to begin effective the first day of the month in which 
hospitalization or treatment begins.
  Mr. Chairman, once again the nation's soldiers, sailors, airmen, and 
Marines are on foreign soil either engaged directly with an enemy or on 
alert to respond as necessary to assure our citizens' right to live in 
freedom. Let us in Congress assure these dedicated men and women that 
we will provide for those who bear today's and tomorrow's battles and 
not force them to endure a financial hardship.
  President Abraham Lincoln said it best, ``. . . what is fairly due 
from us here, in the dispensing of patronage, towards the men who, by 
fighting our battles, bear the chief burthen of saving our country . . 
. is that, other claims and qualifications being equal, they have the 
better right; and this is especially applicable to the disabled 
soldier.''

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