[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 162 (2016), Part 4]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 4651]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




        INTRODUCING THE VETERANS PENSIONS PROTECTION ACT OF 2016

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                         HON. ALCEE L. HASTINGS

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April 19, 2016

  Mr. HASTINGS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to introduce the Veterans 
Pensions Protection Act of 2016. This bipartisan legislation will 
protect veterans from losing their pension benefits in the event they 
receive compensation covering unforeseen health care costs.
  A few years ago, a constituent of mine was confronted with this 
situation. He is a Navy veteran who suffers from muscular dystrophy. 
One day, as he crossed the street, he was struck by a truck. He was 
injured. His service dog was injured. His wheelchair was severely 
damaged. Like any person would, he filed an insurance claim, and 
received a settlement to cover his medical expenses and the costs for 
replacing his wheelchair.
  Now Mr. Speaker, imagine his surprise when he received a letter for 
the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), explaining to him that because 
of his sudden jump in income, he no longer qualified for a pension. It 
sounds ridiculous, but that's what happened.
  Now, when assessing a veteran's eligibility for a pension, the VA 
considers a variety of sources of revenue to calculate annual income. 
The VA uses this formula to make a simple determination: if a veteran's 
income exceeds the limit set by the VA, he or she does not qualify for 
a pension.
  Under current law, compensation for medical expenses or pain and 
suffering, including insurance settlement payments or reimbursements, 
is considered income. This means that veterans are effectively punished 
when they receive these types of compensation after suffering medical 
emergencies like the one I just outlined. This is, quite simply, wrong.
  Mr. Speaker, my legislation exempts reimbursements and compensation 
for medical expenses from the VA's formula for calculating income and 
pension eligibility. This will guarantee the continuity of our 
veterans' pensions, and will ensure that no veteran will have their 
benefits unfairly and abruptly depreciated or cancelled. This is a bill 
we can all get on board with. I urge my colleagues to support this 
critical legislation.

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