Published: September 10, 2008 08:39 pm      

Rahall, Capito hail passage of veterans bills

A three-year pilot program providing enhanced access to care for rural veterans cleared the House Wednesday, drawing praise from Rep. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va.

Another measure designed to raise the rates of disability and survivor benefits of veterans was hailed by Rep. Nick Rahall, D-W.Va.

“Our rural veterans face real and difficult challenges when it comes to accessing the health care that they need,” Capito said.

“Thankfully this legislation puts in motion a program that stands to benefit rural veterans in states like West Virginia.”

Capito said the bill would help lower the need to travel long distances veterans now travel to undergo advanced treatment or primary care.

“We shouldn’t be placing our veterans at a disadvantage simply because they choose to live in a rural area,” she added.

Rahall cited Department of Veterans Affairs’ figures showing the cost-of-living adjustment would help some 2.8 million veterans and 300,000 surviving spouses who get dependency and indemnity compensation.

The adjustment is linked to the Consumer Price Index, ascertained after the third quarter of each year. Last year’s increase was 2.3 percent.

“West Virginia’s veterans have made difficult sacrifices to preserve our freedom and way of life, and deserve equal protection from high gas prices and the rising cost-of-living,” Rahall said.

“This much-needed adjustment will provide better compensation for disabled veterans and survivor families, especially those who depend on these benefits as their only source of income.”