Montana's Democratic senator John Walsh is urging the Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs to extend the period of time post-9/11 veterans can receive automatic medical benefits. Having served in Iraq himself, Walsh feels strongly about getting military members the care they need in their life after service.
Currently, veterans are automatically eligible for health care at Veterans Affairs facilities for five years post-service. Walsh wants to extend this to 10 years, reported Military Times. Walsh argues that while five years of medical care is certainly helpful when it comes to soldier transitions, many issues these former servicemembers deal with as a result of combat, including mental health conditions, need more time to heal.
According to Military.com, Walsh has been working toward this goal since he returned from Iraq in 2005, where he commanded an infantry battalion. He watched one of his sergeants take his own life from post-traumatic stress disorder. Since then, he has been invested in improving the lives of veterans in Montana and across the nation.
Walsh presented his plan to the Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs on Nov. 20. As government officials look to reorganize and improve VA care following this year's scandal, Walsh hopes his legislation can be part of the change.
"As the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq wind down, many American families are welcoming back sons, daughters, husbands and wives who are changed people. … We owe them the opportunity to heal, whether their wounds are seen or unseen," Walsh stated at the meeting.
Military Times reported that the chairman of the committee, Senator Bernie Sanders from Vermont, hopes to pass this new policy by the end of the year. Congress reconvenes on Dec. 1 and is expected to make decisions regarding veteran care.