Veterans Subpanel OKs Bills on Suicide Prevention, Combat Health Care
March 16, 2007
By John Parajuli
CongressNow Contributing Writer
From RollCall.com
The House Veterans’ Affairs health subcommittee quickly reported out two resolutions today, one on suicide reduction and the other to extend the period of eligibility for combat health care.
The two measures, approved by voice votes and without amendments, are the Joshua Omvig Veterans Suicide Prevention Act (H.R. 327) and the Returning Servicemember VA Healthcare Insurance Act of 2007 (H.R. 612).
The suicide prevention legislation directs the Department of Veterans Affairs to develop and implement a comprehensive program to reduce the incidence of suicide among veterans. It focuses on improving care and treatment for veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder and for elderly veterans who are at high risk for depression. Among other things, the bill would institute 24-hour mental health care assistance for veterans.
The insurance act would extend the eligibility period for combat health care from two to five years. This provision will only apply to combat service in the Iraq War and in future hostilities.
2009 © Roll Call Inc. All rights reserved.
Saturday, August 22, 2009
From the past
HELP Panel Approves Three Health Measures
By John Parajuli
CongressNow Contributor
March 16, 2007, 12 a.m.
From Rollcall.com
To stem the tide of preventable injuries and deaths among the elderly and underserved communities, the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee approved three bills in its meeting Thursday. Chairman Edward Kennedy (D-Mass.) offered substitute amendments for all three bills.
The National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program Reauthorization Act of 2007 (S. 624), would renew a program designed to provide free and low-cost screenings of breast and cervical cancer for uninsured women.
“Through early diagnosis and treatment, these tests have the potential to prevent nearly all deaths from cervical cancer and more than 30 percent of breast cancer deaths,” said Sen. Mike Enzi (R-Wyo.).
In a similar move on Thursday, the House Energy and Commerce Committee approved H.R. 1132, a bill designed to reauthorize funds to support breast and cervical cancer. The funding for the program was increased from $202 million to $275 million over the next five years.
The committee also approved the Trauma Care Systems Planning and Development Act of 2007 (S. 657), which would reauthorize programs to prevent deaths from traumatic injuries.
The third bill considered, the Keeping Seniors Safe from Falls Act of 2007 (S. 845), was reported out as well. The bill would expand research on fall prevention and treatment for America’s senior citizens.
One in every three people age 65 and older falls each year. Studies show that in 2002 alone more than 13,000 people died as a result of fall-related injuries.
The act authorizes the secretary of Health and Human Services to develop effective public education and prevention strategies in a national initiative to reduce falls among older adults.
The trauma and cancer bills were passed by a unanimous consent voice vote. The falls legislation was passed by majority voice vote.
By John Parajuli
CongressNow Contributor
March 16, 2007, 12 a.m.
From Rollcall.com
To stem the tide of preventable injuries and deaths among the elderly and underserved communities, the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee approved three bills in its meeting Thursday. Chairman Edward Kennedy (D-Mass.) offered substitute amendments for all three bills.
The National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program Reauthorization Act of 2007 (S. 624), would renew a program designed to provide free and low-cost screenings of breast and cervical cancer for uninsured women.
“Through early diagnosis and treatment, these tests have the potential to prevent nearly all deaths from cervical cancer and more than 30 percent of breast cancer deaths,” said Sen. Mike Enzi (R-Wyo.).
In a similar move on Thursday, the House Energy and Commerce Committee approved H.R. 1132, a bill designed to reauthorize funds to support breast and cervical cancer. The funding for the program was increased from $202 million to $275 million over the next five years.
The committee also approved the Trauma Care Systems Planning and Development Act of 2007 (S. 657), which would reauthorize programs to prevent deaths from traumatic injuries.
The third bill considered, the Keeping Seniors Safe from Falls Act of 2007 (S. 845), was reported out as well. The bill would expand research on fall prevention and treatment for America’s senior citizens.
One in every three people age 65 and older falls each year. Studies show that in 2002 alone more than 13,000 people died as a result of fall-related injuries.
The act authorizes the secretary of Health and Human Services to develop effective public education and prevention strategies in a national initiative to reduce falls among older adults.
The trauma and cancer bills were passed by a unanimous consent voice vote. The falls legislation was passed by majority voice vote.
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