[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George H. W. Bush (1992-1993, Book II)]
[November 4, 1992]
[Page 2156]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]



[[Page 2156]]


Statement on Signing the Veterans Health Care Act of 1992
November 4, 1992

    Today I am signing into law H.R. 5193, the ``Veterans Health Care 
Act of 1992.'' This legislation will improve the delivery of health care 
and other services to our Nation's veterans.
    H.R. 5193 implements the Administration's proposal to establish the 
Persian Gulf War Veterans Health Registry within the Department of 
Veterans Affairs (VA). This registry is a reflection of our Nation's 
commitment to the men and women who served in the Persian Gulf War. 
Iraqi troops retreating from Kuwait maliciously set fire to many Kuwaiti 
oil wells, blanketing the region in thick black smoke. In the aftermath 
of the war, many veterans exposed to those oil fire pollutants and other 
environmental hazards in the area expressed concern for their health. 
This provision will enable VA to learn more about, and deal effectively 
with, potential health problems by providing a complete physical 
examination to any Persian Gulf veteran who requests it. The results of 
the examinations will be maintained in the registry and will be 
available if needed for scientific research.
    H.R. 5193 also authorizes VA to provide counseling services to women 
who suffer the trauma of being sexually assaulted or harassed during 
their military service. Sexual harassment of women in any setting is 
abhorrent. We must continue working to make certain that such behavior 
does not occur. Nevertheless, when it does occur, we must be prepared to 
assist the victims. H.R. 5193 will do exactly that.
    A number of other provisions to improve services to veterans are 
included in this bill. For example, H.R. 5193 implements an 
Administration proposal to provide a permanent authorization for VA's 
State home construction program. Through this VA-State partnership, VA 
helps with the construction and renovation of veterans homes operated by 
the States. Over the years, these facilities have provided much needed 
nursing home and domiciliary care to thousands of disabled and elderly 
veterans. The bill also extends VA's successful respite care program, 
under which disabled veterans living at home are hospitalized for short 
periods to give family caregivers a period of ``respite.'' In addition, 
H.R. 5193 continues a VA scholarship program, used primarily for nurses, 
which pays for a student's education in exchange for service at VA 
medical facilities.
    I have previously warned of the enormous and extremely costly burden 
imposed by various congressional reporting requirements. Notwithstanding 
these concerns, H.R. 5193 includes no less than 12 separate provisions 
requiring the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to submit reports to the 
Congress. I must again object to such costly requirements and call on 
the Congress to end the incessant imposition of onerous reporting 
requirements.

                                                             George Bush

The White House,
November 4, 1992.

                    Note: H.R. 5193, approved November 4, was assigned 
                        Public Law No. 102-585.