[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 73 (Friday, May 21, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E955]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 INTRODUCING THE DISCHARGED COMBAT VETERANS MEDICAL CARE EXTENSION ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. RAHM EMANUEL

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 20, 2004

  Mr. EMANUEL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to introduce the Discharged 
Combat Veterans Medical Care Extension Act. I offer this legislation 
with the distinguished gentleman from Illinois, Mr. Evans, the senior 
Democrat on the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, and 13 other original 
cosponsors.
  Our bill would extend from two years to five years the time in which 
combat veterans may receive free care from VA medical facilities 
without having to document that their illnesses are the result of their 
military service. The legislation will also allow more time for medical 
assessments and data analysis for the returning veterans of the wars in 
Iraq and Afghanistan.
  The lack of scientific knowledge regarding the relationship between 
military deployment and long-term health often hinders the VA's ability 
to establish the required connection between service and health 
consequences. Although the current two-year period allows for the 
collection of some health information, symptoms resulting from 
deployment may remain hidden until years later, as demonstrated by 
illnesses related to service during the Persian Gulf War.
  VA physicians have never treated many types of the severe brain 
injuries, facial trauma or illnesses from exposure to dangerous 
substances that result from service in Iraq and Afghanistan. Therefore, 
additional time is needed to stabilize, diagnose and treat those 
injuries and illnesses.
  We made a promise to our veterans to care for them after they 
returned from war. Accordingly, our troops returning from Iraq and 
Afghanistan deserve open access to VA medical facilities as they heal 
from injuries and as their service-connected illnesses begin to appear.
  As this Memorial Day approaches, Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to 
support the Discharged Combat Veterans Medical Care Extension Act. This 
bill will go a long way toward helping our veterans recover and entitle 
them to the care they deserve for their valor and service to our 
nation.

                          ____________________