[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 15 (Monday, January 26, 2009)]
[Senate]
[Pages S833-S834]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. FEINGOLD (for himself and Mr. Sanders):
  S. 315. A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to improve the 
outreach activities of the Department of Veterans Affairs, and for 
other purposes; to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
  Mr. FEINGOLD. Mr. President, Senator Sanders and I are introducing 
the Veterans Outreach Improvement Act which will help to ensure that 
all of our veterans know about Federal benefits to which they may be 
entitled by improving outreach programs. I introduced similar 
legislation in the 108, 109, and 110 Congresses. I am also pleased to 
note that there is a companion bill in the House, H.R. 32, sponsored by 
Representative McIntyre. Last year, the House Veterans' Affairs 
Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs approved the 
bill by a voice vote.
  I would like to thank the junior Senator from Hawaii for working with 
me to improve outreach to veterans. This year, he has introduced an 
omnibus veterans health care bill, S. 252, which includes a provision 
creating a grant program for organizations that, among other things, 
perform outreach to veterans. At my request, this grant program was 
extended to include State and local agencies that conduct outreach to 
veterans, consistent with provisions of my outreach bill. I greatly 
appreciate the Chairman's willingness to consider the key role these 
agencies play in ensuring that veterans receive the benefits they have 
more than earned. I would also like to thank Senator Sanders for 
working with me to expand the scope of this grant program.
  Based on Senator Akaka's recommendations, I have made a few changes 
to my outreach bill this year. He has informed me of the special need 
to increase outreach to veterans in rural areas. I have modified my 
outreach bill to reflect this important need.
  I was extremely troubled by revelations of gaps in care as 
servicemembers transition to the VA that emerged as a result of 
investigations of the Walter Reed Army Medical Center. I appreciate the 
Department of Defense and Department of Veterans Affairs' attempts to 
remedy these gaps, but more work remains to be done. It can be 
extremely difficult for veterans to navigate the VA's health care and 
benefits systems. This bill will increase congressional oversight of 
the VA's outreach activities and authorize the Secretary of Veterans 
Affairs to work with State, local and community-based organizations to 
perform outreach.
  Several years ago, the Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs, 
WDVA, launched a statewide program called ``I Owe You.'' The program 
encourages veterans to apply, or to re-apply, for benefits that they 
earned from their service in the U.S. military.
  As part of this program, WDVA has sponsored several events around 
Wisconsin called ``Supermarkets of Veterans Benefits'' at which 
veterans can begin the process of learning whether they qualify for 
Federal benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs, VA. These 
events, which are based on a similar program in Georgia, supplement the 
work of Wisconsin's County Veterans Service Officers and veterans 
service organizations by helping our veterans to reconnect with the VA 
and to learn more about services and benefits for which they may be 
eligible. More than 11,000 veterans and their families have attended 
the supermarkets, which include information booths with representatives 
from WDVA, VA, and veterans service organizations, as well as a variety 
of Federal, State, and local agencies. I was proud to have members of 
my staff speak with veterans and their families at a number of these 
events. These events have helped veterans and their families to learn 
about numerous topics, including health care, how to file a disability 
claim, and preregistration for internment in veterans cemeteries.
  The Institute for Government Innovation at Harvard University's 
Kennedy School of Government recognized the ``I Owe You'' program by 
naming it a semi-finalist for the 2002 Innovations in American 
Government Award. The program was also featured in the March/April 2003 
issue of Disabled American Veterans Magazine.
  In order to help to facilitate consistent implementation of VA's 
outreach responsibilities around the country, my bill would help to 
improve outreach activities performed by the VA in three ways. First, 
it would create separate funding line items for outreach activities 
within the budgets of

[[Page S834]]

the VA and its agencies, the Veterans Health Administration, the 
Veterans Benefits Administration, and the National Cemetery 
Administration to ensure oversight of the VA's outreach activities. 
Secondly, the bill would create an intra-agency structure to require 
the Office of the Secretary, the Office of Public Affairs, the VBA, the 
VHA, and the NCA to coordinate outreach activities. By working more 
closely together, the VA components would be able to consolidate their 
efforts, share proven outreach mechanisms, and avoid duplication of 
effort that could waste scarce funding. Finally, the bill would give 
the VA grantmaking authority to award funds to State, local and 
community-based organizations to conduct outreach activities such as 
the WDVA's ``I Owe You Program.''
  I look forward to working with Chairman Akaka and the members of the 
Senate Veteran Affairs Committee to make the veteran outreach grant 
program a success. As we continue to deploy members of the Armed 
Services overseas at a staggering pace, it is essential that we ensure 
a smooth transition into the VA for all veterans in need of care. It is 
the least we can do.
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