House passes, Welch supports legislation for disabled veterans

Representative Peter Welch voted yesterday in favor of several bills designed to support disabled veterans. All of the bills were later passed by the House.
The legislation will provide for family members who care for disabled veterans, increase compensation to certain veterans, and facilitates research programs at Veterans Administration (VA) hospitals.
The Caregiver Assistance and Resource Enhancement Act has laid the foundation for a caregiver program to assist family and non-family members who care for disabled, ill, or injured veterans. The program offers education session for improve care-giving, counseling and respite care to the family caregiver – or another individual designated by the veteran – and grants caregivers of veterans who served in Iraq and Afghanistan with a financial stipend and medical care.
The Veteran's Insurance and Health Care Improvements Act extends life insurance coverage for totally disabled veterans, prohibits the VA from collecting copayments from catastrophically disabled veterans, and gives the VA authority to provide car to Vietnam-era and Persian Gulf veterans, even if medical evidence of a service-connected disability is lacking.
Finally, the Veterans Nonprofit Research and Education Corporation Enhancement Act increases the ability of certain non-profit groups to facilitate the conduct of research or education at VA medical centers.
“I have long believed that the cost of a war should include the cost of caring for the warrior,” said Welch. “With these measure, we are providing much-needed assistance to disabled veterans who have sacrificed so much for our country, and we are recognizing the commitment of their family members and caregivers.”
Later this week, the House is expected to pass the Disabled Veterans Home Improvement and Structural Alteration Grant Increase Act, which grants increased assistance to veterans with service-connected disabilities to modify their homes to suit their needs.