WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today the Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs approved comprehensive legislation to improve health care and benefits for returning servicemembers and veterans from previous eras. 

"The bills the Committee has approved today would make significant and far-ranging improvements to the care and benefits veterans have earned through their service," said Senator Daniel K. Akaka (D-HI), Chairman of the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

The omnibus health care bill, S. 2969, the Veterans Health Care Authorization Act of 2008, includes the following:

• Enhancements of incentives for VA medical professionals, such as pay, benefits, scholarship programs, and work schedules, in order to help VA recruit and retain top quality clinicians;
• Expansions of numerous authorities, including for the provision of both institutional and non-institutional long-term care as well as rehabilitative care for OIF/OEF veterans; and
• Pilot programs to assist family caregivers, provide outreach and assistance to returning servicemembers in their communities, and help prevent homelessness among veterans. 

The omnibus benefits bill, S. 3023, the Veterans' Benefits Improvements Act of 2008, includes the following:

• Improved requirements for notices to veterans about their claims for benefits;
• Enhancement of home loan refinancing options and a temporary increase in the maximum loan guaranty amount for veterans; and
• Expansion of the Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims. 

In addition to the omnibus veterans' benefits and health care bills, the Committee also approved legislation to provide a cost-of-living increase for disability compensation for veterans and dependency and indemnity compensation for survivors, as well as a bill to make technical corrections to veterans' educational benefits. 

The Committee agenda can be viewed here: link

The Chairman's opening statement can be viewed here: link

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