Letter from Shelley
Friends and Colleagues,
With the holidays behind us, Congress was off and running again this month. The House wasted no time in getting back down to legislative business, while the Veterans Affairs Committee held a hearing about legislation I introduced to support injured veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan. Late last week, I had the opportunity to spend time in Hampshire, Hardy and Pendleton Counties.
Congress Back in Session
With Congress back in session, the economy has been a big topic of discussion as lawmakers on both sides of the aisle look for ways to stimulate economic growth. Just yesterday Congressional leaders reached a bipartisan agreement with the president on a plan to stimulate the economy.
There seems to be some real bipartisan dialogue and I’m hopeful that we’ll be able to quickly act swiftly on this compromise in order to stimulate our economy and support those who are struggling amidst an economic downturn.
The House last week also took up the issue of mine safety – an issue that hits very close to home in West Virginia. Congress passed the MINER Act a few years ago to increase safety standards in our mines. Legislation we considered last week would continue discussion about further safety improvements to keep our miners safe.
Capito Bill Receives Hearing
Last week I also had the opportunity to testify before the House Committee on Veterans Affairs Subcommittee on Health about legislation I introduced to address healthcare for our veterans suffering from traumatic brain injuries (TBI).
TBI can cause a wide range of symptoms including chronic headaches, memory loss, irritability and personality shifts. It’s also commonly accompanied by post-traumatic stress disorder. Unfortunately, many of our veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan suffer from TBI, yet there are currently only four locations where service members can go for treatment.
My bill would create a program of collaboration between local health care providers and the Department of Veterans Affairs. Our veterans shouldn’t have to travel to receive the care they need.
Visit to Hampshire, Hardy and Pendleton County
Finally, late last week I had the opportunity to spend some time with local leaders in Hampshire, Hardy and Pendleton Counties. From the mayor and city council in Wardensville, to the Pendleton County Firefighters Dinner to the groundbreaking ceremony in Romney, I very much appreciated the invitations.
Sincerely,
Member of Congress
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Capito Visits Panhandle
WARDENSVILLE, WV, January 19, 2008 – Rep. Capito with Mayor Miller of Wardensville and members of the Wardensville City Council in Hardy County.
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IN CASE YOU MISSED IT...
Capito trying to help vets with brain injuries
Charleston Daily Mail
Jake Stump
January 18, 2008
At least 50 West Virginia soldiers are suffering from traumatic brain injuries sustained in recent warfare, says Congresswoman Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va.
But to receive specialized treatment from the Department of Veterans Affairs, those afflicted must travel to Richmond, Va.
Last summer, Capito introduced a bill that directs the VA to establish a pilot program to treat veterans diagnosed with traumatic brain injuries in rural America.
On Thursday, she testified before the House Veterans Affairs Committee to further push the legislation.
A traumatic brain injury is caused by a blow or jolt to the head or a penetrating head injury that disrupts the normal function of the brain, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Those brain injuries are present in up to 20 percent of soldiers who have survived combat injuries in prior conflicts.
Preliminary data shows the number is higher in soldiers returning from Afghanistan and Iraq, according to the U.S. Department of Defense.
Such injuries can accompany post-traumatic stress disorder and lead to symptoms such as headaches, memory loss, confusion, blurred vision, numbness, seizures and personality changes.
Capito's pilot program would build a partnership between local healthcare providers and the VA, which would enable local medical professionals to augment and support treatment efforts for veterans in rural communities.
Her idea for the project was triggered by a meeting with West Virginia University professors involved in rural healthcare.
"It was brought to my attention that a lot of veterans come back with TBI," Capito sad.
"The closest facility for West Virginia is in Richmond. That can't meet their demands. Rather than have a veteran travel long distances, the idea is to have a case worker from West Virginia intimately involved and working with a local provider or community health center to get veterans the care and rehabilitation they need."
Case managers would work with local health care providers to coordinate the appropriate care for those veterans while they stay at home.
In addition to Richmond, the other VA facilities for brain injury treatment are in Tampa, Fla.; Minneapolis, Minn.; and Palo Alto, Calif.
Capito's bill proposes a five-year pilot program that will run in five states selected by the VA secretary. The congresswoman said West Virginia would make an excellent choice due to the high percentage of veterans living in rural areas here.
Data from the WVU Office of Rural Health shows that 54 percent of the state's veterans live in rural areas.
To read the full text of this story, click here.
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