(Washington, D.C.)  This week, Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers voted to expand rural veterans’ health care and increase veterans’ compensation.

The legislation McMorris Rodgers supported is as follows:
 
The Rural Veterans Access to Care Act (H.R. 1527) creates a pilot program that allows certain veterans who live long distances from Department of Veterans Affairs health care facilities to receive covered care locally from a non-VA health care provider.

The Veterans’ Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2008 (S. 2617) requires the Department of Veterans Affairs to increase compensation for disabled veterans and their family on December 1st, 2008.  The compensation will be increased the same percentage as the Social Security cost of living increase.

“These pieces of legislation help ensure we give our veterans the benefits and care they’ve earned,” McMorris Rodgers said.  “It’s important we do more to make sure our veterans and their families have the quality benefits they deserve.”

McMorris Rodgers is a member of the House Armed Services Committee.  Along with making sure our veterans receive the benefits they’ve earned, McMorris Rodgers is working to expand and strengthen the role of Fairchild Air Force Base, including ensuring the next generation of air refueling tankers is based at Fairchild AFB.