Cliff Stearns: “Mr. Speaker, as we take up this bill just 2 days before Veterans Day, we are in a very concrete way underscoring our…”

“Mr. Speaker, as we take up this bill just 2 days before Veterans Day, we are in a very concrete way underscoring our commitment to veterans. Among its key provisions, these amendments to S. 714 provide important direction to the Department of Veterans Affairs to address what we believe is a glaring problem, the need to improve the care VA provides to Persian Gulf veterans. Our committee has held what the American Legion 2 months ago described as 'the most comprehensive and important hearings on Gulf War veterans since the end of the Gulf War.' This legislation stems from those hearings and would require VA to take a new approach, beginning with creating and funding demonstration programs. This should lead VA to develop new, improved models for treating veterans with undiagnosed or ill-defined conditions. The bill would also clarify that Persian Gulf veterans are eligible for care of any condition which may be due to their service in the gulf, whether or not it can be linked to toxic substances or environmental hazards. These amendments would also extend many expiring programs, including VA's authority to provide noninstitutional services to the elderly and needed assistance for homeless veterans. Mr. Speaker, the legislation also provides needed authorization for VA medical facility construction and leasing initiatives for fiscal year 1998.”