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E G I S L A T I O N
For more on Legislation: Go to Thomas Legislative Information on the internet from the Library of Congress or The Senate & House Committees: thomas.loc.gov - House Committee on Veterans Affairs - The Senate Veterans Committee
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Private Sector Groups
Present Cutting Edge
Technology and Treatment Options for Veterans at Hearing
FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 13, 2009
On Wednesday, May 13, 2009, House Committee on
Veterans’ Affairs Chairman Bob Filner conducted a hearing to learn about the
innovative technology and treatments which are currently available or are in
development to help veterans. The hearing focused on how private sector
companies work with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to provide veterans
access to the latest technologies.
“While I applaud VA for being the leader in research and treatment of such
conditions as traumatic brain injury (TBI), it is important that our veterans
have access to other ground-breaking treatment modalities which have been
developed in the private sector,” said Chairman Filner. “We are here today not
to advocate for any company in particular, but to highlight the recent
discoveries in treatments and technologies that result from the incredible
ingenuity of Americans. There is a shared sense that we can do better for our
veterans and for their recoveries.”
The first panel discussed research, new inventions, and technological upgrades
that could be used to help veterans recover. Products to improve the delivery
of health care to rural veterans were discussed which included new upgrades to
patient video conferencing equipment and mobile surgery units which would allow
VA to provide care instead of contracting out surgical services. Witnesses
discussed cutting edge research that has proven beneficial for those with vision
and hearing loss by restoring the function of damaged tissue using stem cells.
Also discussed was screening technology which allows early detection of oral
cancer. Some treatments and technologies are in use at VA medical centers
across the country, but a national universal implementation plan is lacking.
The second panel stressed the importance of aggressive and diligent research to
work towards faster and more accurate diagnoses of conditions that affect
veterans. Dr. Howard Federoff, Executive Vice President for Health Sciences at
Georgetown University, testified:
“Members of this Committee know very well that the vast majority of military personnel who are returning from the field having experienced TBI are very young. God willing, they have long lives ahead. Therefore it is incumbent upon us to ensure that we are aggressive in just this kind of research endeavor that looks beyond the immediate consequences of even mild TBI. With this kind of research, we can address the ‘silent epidemic’ before it takes a toll on the long-term quality of life of those who are serving our country. I urge you to ensure that the Department of Veterans Affairs, in close concert with both the Department of Defense and the Department of Health and Human Services, remain vigilant in pursuing the identification both of these bio-molecular signatures and of effective therapeutic responses to TBI.”
Filner concluded: “Many of the ideas discussed today provide benefits to veterans and save money. By detecting cancer earlier, we can eliminate costly treatment at the same time we reduce the number of veterans that suffer from this horrible disease. There is new technology that literally opens up fields of vision for brain injured patients. I would like to thank these groups for coming today to help generate excitement for the new opportunities for healing for our injured veterans. If it works, let’s use it!”
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Committee on Veterans' Affairs, U.S. House of Representatives
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The Senate Veterans Committee
COMMITTEE APPROVES OBAMA VA NOMINEES
Chairman urges Senate to confirm nominations without delay
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today the Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs unanimously approved the nomination of four nominees to join Secretary Shinseki’s leadership team at the Department of Veterans Affairs: Roger W. Baker, to be Assistant Secretary for Information and Technology; Will A. Gunn, to be General Counsel; Jose D. Riojas, to be Assistant Secretary for Operations, Security, and Preparedness; and John U. Sepulveda, to be Assistant Secretary for Human Resources and Administration.
Committee Chairman Daniel K. Akaka (D-HI) issued the following statement after the vote:
“VA needs a confirmed leadership team to implement the changes President Obama and Secretary Shinseki have pledged for veterans and their families. I urge my Senate colleagues to approve their nominations without delay.”
Last week, Akaka chaired a hearing to review the four nominees. The nominations now move to the Senate floor for a final confirmation vote.
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Congressman Lamar Smith
Veterans
News Hour Daily recognizes Congressman Lamar Smith for his co-sponsorship of
concurrent receipt legislation. Thank you Congressman for supporting Americas
Disabled Veterans. We now hope that you and all your fellow co-sponsors will
join together and strongly encourage President Bush to fund it. Access
Congressman Lamar Smith's web site at: http://lamarsmith.house.gov/
The
following excerpt is re-published from the Congressman's web
site.
Congressman Lamar Smith has represented the residents of the 21st Congressional
District since 1986. In the most recent election, he received the highest number
of votes of any congressional candidate with major party opposition. The
respected magazine National Journal has named Congressman Smith one of the 100
most influential people in Washington, D.C.