Friday, September 16, 2005

Free Healthcare for Vets in Katrina's Path

Washington, DC - A bill sponsored by Sen. Larry Craig (R-Idaho) to improve the health care of the nation’s veterans was approved by the Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs. The "Veterans Health Care Act of 2005" now goes to the floor of the Senate for a vote.

"This legislation is important to veterans across the nation," Craig said. "My hope is that we can move forward quickly and get it passed by the Senate before the end of this year."

Among many provisions, Craig’s bill provides free health care for veterans in the area impacted by Hurricane Katrina. That free care would end January 31, 2006. "If Congress determines that there is still a need, we can extend that deadline," Craig said.