JACKSONVILLE, Fla., July 29 Today, Wounded Warrior Project commends the House of Representatives for passing a bill (H.R. 3155) that will assist the family caregivers of the most severely wounded veterans, but endorsed a Senate bill (S. 801) that would provide more comprehensive support and coverage to a wider population of caregivers who are in dire need of these services. H.R. 3155, the Caregiver Assistance and Resource Enhancement Act, includes some essential support and training to those caring for this nation's wounded warriors but only offers financial support and health benefits to a very limited number of caregivers while the Senate version of Caregiver Support legislation would cover most of the family caregivers of severely wounded warriors returning from the current conflicts.
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"The bill passed by the House of Representatives is a step in the right direction," stated Wounded Warrior Project Executive Director, Steve Nardizzi. "Now, our focus shifts to the more comprehensive Senate bill (S. 801) which covers a much larger majority of Operation Iraqi Freedom/Operation Enduring Freedom (OIF/OEF) families and includes a more significant and integral compensation element."
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Many family caregivers are struggling to care for their loved ones who have served our country, often to the detriment of their own health, the depletion of their finances, the loss of jobs and health care, and the endangerment of the family unit due to the emotional and economic toll. The caregiver issue is WWP's top legislative priority.
Wounded Warrior Project recently held a three-day Family Caregiver Summit in Washington, DC which offered a forum for caregivers to discuss their challenges and needs. Caregivers also met with Members of Congress, as well as representatives from the Departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs to identify the key elements of permanent, comprehensive family caregiver support programs.
Wounded Warrior Project executives and family caregivers are available for interviews.
About Wounded Warrior Project:
Wounded Warrior Project is a non-profit organization whose mission is to honor and empower wounded warriors. WWP serves to raise awareness and enlist the public's aid for the needs of severely injured service men and women, to help severely injured service members aid and assist each other and to provide unique, direct programs and services to meet their needs. For more information, please call 877 TEAM WWP (832-6997) or visit www.woundedwarriorproject.org.
SOURCE Wounded Warrior Project
