Military Construction spending bill also includes priorities for Naval Air Station Whidbey Island

Rep. Rick Larsen, WA-02, today voted in favor of helping veterans get the benefits they deserve. During consideration of a military construction spending bill, Larsen led efforts to direct the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to expand its medical care to include more comprehensive coverage of reproductive issues that arise from deployment conditions and injuries.

“After a decade at war, many women servicemembers are at risk for reproductive and urinary tract issues. And unfortunately, many injured servicemembers—both men and women—return home only to face infertility or reproductive problems,” Larsen said.

“While the Department of Defense and TRICARE are already able to provide the necessary reproductive treatment to servicemembers with these injuries, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) services do not always meet the complex needs of severely injured veterans. The challenges paralyzed veterans face are already enormous. They should not have to pay thousands of dollars in out-of-pocket medical costs to start a family because of injuries they sustained in the line of service.

“Disabled veterans have already paid too high a price in service to our nation. They should not have to pay a higher price to start a family,” Larsen said.

Larsen also advocated for language in the military construction appropriations bill to make sure the VA maintains its capacity to care for the needs of veterans with severe disabilities.

The military construction spending bill passed the House with bipartisan support.

“I am pleased Republicans and Democrats worked together to make sure that veterans can access the benefits they are due. Timely access to health care is one essential way we can begin to express our gratitude to veterans for their service to our country,” Larsen said.

Other veterans measures in the bill that Larsen advocated for include funding for:

·         Programs to eliminate the VA claims backlog

·         Veterans employment and education assistance

·         Suicide prevention and outreach programs administered by VA

·         Medical and prosthetic research

The military construction bill also is a victory for Naval Air Station Whidbey Island. It includes funding for two priorities:

·         $24,390,000 for a P-8A Aircraft Apron and Support Facilities, which will help fund infrastructure changes and additions for the P-8A.

·         $27,755,000 for a C-40 Aircraft Maintenance Hangar, which will house and protect the C-40 when delivered.

“Support for infrastructure improvements at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island will help the base maintain its status as a preeminent military installation. These major construction efforts also will create jobs as the work gets under way,” Larsen said. “This is good news for the sailors and aviators at NAS Whidbey Island and for our local economy.”

###