[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 104 (Monday, July 13, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1733-E1734]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  MILITARY CONSTRUCTION AND VETERANS AFFAIRS APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2010

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                          HON. JOHN D. DINGELL

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, July 10, 2009

       The House in Committee of the Whole House on the State of 
     the Union had under consideration to the bill H.R. 3082 
     making appropriations for military construction, the 
     Department of Veterans Affairs, and related agencies for the 
     fiscal year ending September 30, 2010, and for other 
     purposes:

  Mr. DINGELL. Madam Chair, I rise today in support of H.R. 3082, the 
Military Construction, Department of Veterans Affairs, and Related 
Agencies Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2010. This legislation 
continues the Democratic-Congress' dedication to our veterans by 
providing $109 billion to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
  I am proud to support the passage of a bill which does so much for 
our veterans. This year, like every other year, our veterans deserve 
quality and affordable health care, the services needed to transition 
into civilian life and prevent homelessness, and other important 
benefits that will help them succeed in their personal and professional 
lives. I am particularly pleased the bill provides $4.6 billion for 
mental health care treatment, especially in light of the growing number 
of returning Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) and Operation Enduring 
Freedom (OEF) veterans with post traumatic stress disorder. The bill 
also provides $440 million to increase access for veterans who live in 
rural areas, $580 million for research in prosthetics, $533 million to 
expand eligibility for VA health care to an estimated 266,000 
``Priority 8'' veterans, or those non-service-disabled veterans earning 
more than $30,000 a year, and $1.1 billion for improving our VA medical 
facilities.
  Madam Chair, of particular concern to me are VA medical facilities in 
Southeast Michigan, where many of my constituents receive care. The 
Department of Veterans Affairs Ann Arbor Health System (VAAAHS) staff 
believe that any plan to make the Toledo Community-based Outpatient 
Clinic administratively separate will have the effect of reducing their 
budget and inhibit their ability to provide services, including 
specialty services to their constituencies.
  I share this concern. The VAAAHS is the only VA medical facility in 
Michigan providing cardiac surgery, interventional cardiology, and 
neurosurgery. We must ensure they can continue doing so. The VAAAHS has 
a plan that would double the size of the existing clinic in Toledo, 
allowing Toledo-area veterans to receive an increased amount of care at 
the Toledo clinic, from 75 percent currently to 90 percent. We must 
ensure that we move forward with plans for the existing clinic without 
impairing the care that is provided to veterans by VA hospitals in 
Southeast Michigan, including the VA hospitals Battle Creek, Detroit, 
and especially the one in Ann Arbor.
  Madam Chair, as a veteran of World War II, I have the utmost respect 
for those who have served our nation. I also believe that the VA 
provides veterans with excellent health services, and should continue 
to stand out as a

[[Page E1734]]

leader in health care provision in our country. I urge my colleagues to 
join with me in supporting this legislation.

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