[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 145 (1999), Part 15]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 22303]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]


[[Page 22303]]

             H.R. 2116, VETERANS MILLENNIUM HEALTH CARE ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. RON PACKARD

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 22, 1999

  Mr. PACKARD. Mr. Speaker, America's veterans are forgotten far too 
often. My colleagues and I are committed to protecting veterans' 
programs and ensuring that our nation honors its commitment to our men 
and women in the military. To do anything less would be to abandon the 
very principles that veterans fought so hard to preserve.
  We are committed to securing our veterans' future and are working now 
to provide funding to honor our promise to them. Last week the House of 
Representatives approved the Veterans Administration/Housing and Urban 
Development Appropriations bill, which contained a $1.7 billion 
increase for veterans health care, totaling $196 billion.
  Yesterday, Congress passed the Veterans Millennium Health Care Act, 
which expands veterans eligibility for care and dramatically improves 
the care provided to veterans in their homes. The expanded care 
includes geriatric evaluations, nursing home care, adult day health 
care, and other types of home health care. The act also requires the 
Veterans Administration to operate and maintain a national program of 
extended services.
  The Veterans Millennium Health Care Act coupled with the funds 
provided in our annual veterans appropriations legislation, affirms our 
nation's appreciation for our aging veterans and our commitment to 
provide them with the health care they will need in the coming years. I 
thank my colleagues for supporting veterans by voting in favor of this 
crucial legislation.

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