On the recordMay 29, 2014
Mr. Speaker, last week, I introduced bipartisan legislation to honor our Congressional Medal of Honor recipients. H.R. 4720, the Medal of Honor Priority Care Act, would place Medal of Honor recipients in the VA's highest priority group to make certain they receive timely access to their health benefits. Medal of Honor recipients have gone above and beyond the call of duty by putting themselves in harm's way to protect their position and fellow soldiers in combat. Currently, there are 78 living recipients of the Medal of Honor, including two from Michigan--Corporal Duane E. Dewey and Private First Class Robert E. Simanek--who both received the decoration for their heroic actions in the Korean war. These heroes should have access to the VA when they need it, and the Medal of Honor Priority Care Act will ensure that this select group of individuals is guaranteed the highest level of care. ____________________
