[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 58 (Thursday, April 22, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E637-E638]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          CAREGIVERS AND VETERANS OMNIBUS HEALTH SERVICES ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                           HON. JOHN H. ADLER

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, April 21, 2010

  Mr. ADLER of New Jersey. I rise in support of S. 1963, the Caregivers 
and Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act.
  The Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act is a 
comprehensive piece of legislation aimed at augmenting the support 
services available to family caregivers of wounded veterans, improving 
VA services to women veterans, preventing veteran homelessness, and 
increasing mental health care access to veterans.
  This historic bill achieves so many necessary and important goals. 
First, it provides immediate support for veteran caregivers by creating 
a program to offer caregiver training, access to mental health 
counseling, and 24-hour respite care in the veteran's home. Family 
caregivers sacrifice so much of their own lives in order to care for 
our nation's heroes. It is so important that we give them every 
supportive service they need so they do not become overwhelmed by the 
daily realities of caring for a wounded veteran.
  Second, this bill seeks to build a VA health care system respectful 
of the unique medical needs of women veterans. For the first time, VA 
will be authorized to provide health care for newborn infants of women 
veterans. Our women veterans deserve private health care that is 
respectful of their unique medical needs.

[[Page E638]]

  This bill also seeks to expand VA services that are designed to end 
veteran homelessness. It is unacceptable that the brave men and women 
who fought in service to our country would go without a place to rest 
their heads at night. I applaud these efforts to augment Secretary 
Shinseki's plan to end veteran homelessness in the next 5 years.
  The Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act deserves our 
undivided support. I urge my colleagues to vote in favor of S. 1963.

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