23 Veterans Groups Urge Congress to Pass Take Care of America's Veterans Act

Military.com reported that 23 veterans service organizations signed a June 29 letter urging Congress to enact the Take Care of America's Veterans Act as written, including Section 108. The letter was sent to the chairs and ranking members of the Senate and House Committees on Veterans' Affairs. The legislation includes more than 60 provisions.

Among them are the Major Richard Star Act, which would end an offset requiring more than 59,000 medically retired combat-injured veterans to forfeit part of their retirement pay to receive disability compensation, the Love Lives On Act, caregiver program reforms, Department of Veterans Affairs modernization initiatives, and expansions for combat-injured veterans.

Additional measures address mental health support, spinal cord injury care, prosthetic services, resources for survivors and families, and services for women veterans. The letter described the package as the product of years of bipartisan work.

It stated that Republicans and Democrats authored elements of the bill and that it represents one of the most thorough efforts to deliver non-partisan support to broad and narrow segments of the veteran community. The signatories include The American Legion, Military Officers Association of America, Wounded Warrior Project, Elizabeth Dole Foundation, Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors, American Veterans, and 17 other groups.

Section 108 has drawn criticism from some veterans and organizations over its potential effects on service members with tinnitus and sleep apnea.

Tamra Sipes, president of the Gold Star Spouses of America, said those concerns are legitimate and deserve thoughtful consideration through the legislative process. A Wounded Warrior Project spokesperson said the organization believes continuing the conversation outweighs stopping progress on the bill.