Carbondale Reporter

U.S. Representative Mike Bost (IL-12), who serves as chairman of the House Veterans' Affairs Committee, has expressed approval following the House's passage of H.R. 8371. This legislation, named the Senator Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act, aims to enhance healthcare and benefits for veterans, improve support for caregivers, and reduce obstacles that prevent veterans from accessing care.

Bost stated, "From mental health services to caregiver support, this legislation tackles some of the most pressing issues facing veterans today. It expands job opportunities, strengthens community care programs, and gets veterans out of homelessness. Most importantly, it focuses on putting veterans at the center of the VA system. I'm proud to work alongside my colleagues in the House to advance this critical bill and I urge the Senate to pass it swiftly. Our veterans and their families deserve nothing less."

The act has received endorsements from over 50 prominent veterans service organizations such as Disabled American Veterans (DAV), Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), and Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA). The legislation also addresses key areas for survivors and aims to improve mental health services for both veterans and their caregivers. This bipartisan initiative is considered a significant advancement in ensuring that the Department of Veterans Affairs can meet the needs of today's veterans both in Southern Illinois and throughout the United States.

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