97th Congress > House > Vote 50
Sponsor: MONTGOMERY, Gillespie V. (Sonny) (D-MS)
Description: TO SUSPEND THE RULES AND PASS H.R. 1100 WHICH EXPANDS ELIGIBILITY OF FORMER PRISONERS OF WAR FOR CERTAIN HEALTHCARE BENEFITS PROVIDED BY THE VETERANS ADMINISTRATION. (MOTION AGREED TO)
Bill summary: (House agreed to Senate amendments with amendments)
Former Prisoner of War Benefits Act of 1981 - Directs the Administrator of Veterans' Affairs to establish the Advisory Committee on Former Prisoners of War to consult concerning the administration of benefits and activities related to veterans held as prisoners of war (POW's). Requires that such committee include former POW's, disabled veterans, and individuals who are recognized authorities in certain fields of medicine. Directs the Committee
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to submit to the Administrator for transmittal to Congress a biennial report on such programs and activities.
Reduces from six months to 30 days the minimum period of imprisonment necessary to trigger the presumption that specified diseases and disabilities, including psychosis manifest to ten percent are confinement-related. Entitles former POW's to hospital, nursing home, and domiciliary care. Entitles such veterans to priority in the furnishing of medical services.
Directs the Administrator to conduct outreach programs to inform former POW's of changes in benefits. Requires the Administrator, after consulting with the Advisory Committee, to conduct and report to Congress on the disposition of claims and on a further study of the health of former POW's.
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Bill titles: An act to amend title 38, United States Code, to improve certain benefit programs of the Veterans' Administration for veterans who are former prisoners of war, and for other purposes.; A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to expand eligibility of former prisoners of war for certain health-care benefits provided by the Veterans' Administration, and for other purposes.
Original source documents: Digest of the Congressional Record vol. 82, p. 2552;
Links for more info on the vote: congress.gov
