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Bilirakis Ombudsman Amendment Passed by the House |
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Modified version of
H.R. 1580 agreed to by voice vote
March 29, 2007
Washington,
D.C.
- Yesterday, Congress passed H.R. 1538, the Wounded Warriors Assistance
Act, which addresses the unacceptable conditions at Walter Reed Army Medical
Facility. H.R. 1538 will improve the management of medical care, personnel
actions and quality of life issues for the military service members. The bill
passed unanimously 426-0.
During consideration of the bill, the House agreed by voice
vote to incorporate Rep. Bilirakis' (R-Palm Harbor) amendment, which creates a
Department of Defense (DoD) wide Ombudsman to oversee the answering and
assisting of patient and family questions concerning administrative processes
and financial and non-military related services available throughout a
patient's recovery.
This legislation was originally introduced as H.R. 1580, in
a package of Republican bills addressing the problems at Walter Reed, but was
modified to be included as an amendment to H.R. 1538.
"I applaud my colleagues for acting quickly to address the
unacceptable conditions at Walter Reed and passing the Wounded Warriors Assistance
Act," Rep. Bilirakis said. "Our military personnel and veterans deserve the
best medical care possible. Creating a DoD-wide Ombudsman will help soldiers
and their families cut through the red tape, allowing them to concentrate on
healing and not maneuvering through a bureaucracy."
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