News: Homeless Veterans Bill
Peace through Reason (prop1@prop1.org)
Wed, 21 Oct 1998 18:39:30 -0400
http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/w/AP-Congress-Veterans.html
October 21, 1998
Senate Oks Gulf Veteran Help Plan
By The Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Persian Gulf War veterans would
have increased access to Veterans Affairs Department
health care under a bill that passed the Senate and went to
the president Wednesday for his expected signature.
The legislation, approved by voice vote, also provides a
cost-of-living increase for veterans with service-connected
disabilities and their survivors.
The bill, which passed the House earlier this month by a
423-0 vote, extends the authority of the VA to provide
medical care for Gulf War veterans through the end of 2001
and to evaluate the health status of the spouses and children
of Gulf War veterans through Dec. 31, 1999.
Thousands of veterans returned from the 1991 war with
undetermined health problems, and many believe that some
of their illnesses, including cancers, muscle problems and
memory loss, have been passed on to their family members.
The legislation also requires the National Academy of
Sciences to study the possible connection between certain
illnesses and services in the war.
The bill authorizes the VA secretary to guarantee loans to
provide multifamily transitional housing for homeless
veterans and increases the special pension for people on the
Medal of Honor roll from $400 to $600 a month.
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