Lone senator holds up veterans bill [View All]

[unhappycamper]

Lone senator holds up veterans bill
By Rick Maze - Staff writer
Posted : Monday Nov 2, 2009 17:01:59 EST

Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America is trying to bring pressure on the Senate to ignore tradition and bring a veterans health care bill up for debate despite the anonymous hold on the bill placed by a senator.

The bill in question is S 1963, the Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act of 2009, which includes three top priorities of the veterans group.

It contains a package of improvements for female veterans, including more training for mental health providers in treating sexual trauma, a pilot program to offer child care so that veterans who have children find it easier make appointments, and a trial counseling program in which newly separated female veterans would be treated in retreat-like settings.

It also would expand mental health programs for veterans in rural areas by contracting with local community mental health centers, and expand mental health services for the immediate families of Iraq and Afghanistan veterans.

Improvement programs for homeless veterans also are included — a high priority for the Obama administration.


Rest of article at: http://www.armytimes.com/news/2009/11/military_veteransbill_delayed_110209w/



unhappycamper comment: Wanna bet the mystery senator has an 'R' behind his name?