WASHINGTON – The House approved a measure today offered by Rep. Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) that will improve health care and services for veterans living in rural America.  The measure, which provides $5 million to help open the Office of Rural Health within the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), was approved as an amendment to the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs appropriations bill that passed the House today.

Rep. Capito offered the amendment due to the lack of action taken to open the Office of Rural Health, even though its establishment was authorized in legislation signed into law last year.

"The care we provide rural veterans in return for their service in helping protect our country should not be diminished in any way because they have chosen to live in rural America,” Capito said.  "We must continue working to ensure our veterans health care system is prepared for the coming wave of veterans currently serving in Iraq and Afghanistan in order to provide them the best of care no matter where they live."

In December of 2006, the Veterans Benefits, Health Care, and Information Technology Act was signed into law.  This legislation created the Office of Rural Health within the VA and tasked the office with researching issues affecting rural veterans, as well as developing and refining policies and programs to improve care and services for rural veterans. 

Unfortunately, nearly six months after the legislation was signed into law, no action has been taken regarding the implementation of this important office charged with improving rural veterans’ access to quality care. 

Capito was joined in offering the amendment by her colleagues, Reps. Adrian Smith (R-NE) and John Salazar (D-CO).

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