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On the Issues:

Veterans

As a Vietnam veteran, Rep. Frelinghuysen is constantly working to improve a comprehensive health care system for our veterans through the Veterans Administration (VA).
 
All of us are deeply grateful for the sacrifices and service our veterans have provided our nation.  By keeping faith with our veterans, we keep faith with their families and also with our young warfighters who carry on the fight of freedom every day.

From 1995 to 2007, VA funding increased by 96 percent from $38.2 billion to $74.5 billion.  For 2009, Congress has allocated $47.7 billion for veterans’ medical care.  The figure represents a $4.6 billion increase over 2008.  With the funding, the VA anticipates treating 5.8 million patients in 2009.

Some notable provisions of the 2009 funding include:

  • $3.8 billion for mental health services for veterans with mental illness and post traumatic stress disorder.
  • $568 million to increase the enrollment of low to middle income veterans.
  • $130 million to help homeless veterans.
  • $58 million for medical research of trauma, traumatic brain injury, mental health, and other areas critical to providing the best treatment for our war veterans.
  • Funding to hire 2100 new processors to reduce wait times for claims.
As a veteran and a member of the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, Rep. Frelinghuysen has met with the men and women in uniform across New Jersey, at military bases across the country, in Iraq, and Afghanistan.  The Congressman knows how important these new benefits are to them and is proud that Democrats and Republicans were able to work together on this legislation.

Rep. Frelinghuysen has always worked to provide improved benefits to veterans and their families.  He has worked to improve health care coverage- especially at Lyons, East Orange Veterans Medical Centers and at the Morris County Outpatient facility in Morris Township.

Through Rep. Frelinghuysen’s efforts, Lyons VA has opened a new, state-of-the-art Ambulatory Care Center in 2005 for outpatient care and a Domiciliary Care facility to provide homeless veterans with housing, job training placement, medical and psychiatric assistance, and help with medical claims.

He worked closely with the Somerset County Freeholders to establish “Hope for Veterans” at Lyons VA in Bernards Township.  The program provides employment services, training, substance abuse counseling, and transitional housing for veterans s who have been left homeless as a result of mental illness or substance abuse.

In July of 2008, Congress modernized the GI Bill of Rights for the first time since 1984.  Under the improved program, servicemen and women now have the opportunity to transfer education benefits to members of their family.  Under the old law, education benefits had to be used by the person who served.  For the first time, this legislation makes National Guard and Reserve members eligible for fully GI Bill benefits.  These men and women are serving our country across the globe, and it was important make sure their benefits match their sacrifice.

Throughout the 111th Congress, Rep. Frelinghuysen will continue his work with County offices and veterans groups to ensure that those who have served our nation so bravely receive the proper care that they deserve.

To learn more about the Lyons and East Orange VA Hospitals please visit: http://www1.va.gov/VISN03/index.asp.