from Michigan Senator Debbie Stabenow:

I’m writing to let you know that just yesterday, President Obama signed into law the Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus Health Service Act. I was proud to cosponsor and support the goals of this legislation, which are a top priority for our returning veterans from Afghanistan and Iraq.

This new law provides funding, health care coverage, training, and support to the family caregivers of severely wounded veterans. When our young men and women return home with serious injuries, their families will have help paying the bills and care for their loved ones. The bill also helps them pay for travel, so they can go with their loved one when they receive hospital treatments.

With more women serving today in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom, the VA needs to modernize and provide better health care for women veterans. This legislation requires the VA to plan appropriately for the future health needs of women who return home from combat.

This law also requires the VA to offer mental health counseling to all returning veterans, and gives the VA resources to find ways to reduce suicide rates for veterans. In addition, it creates several pilot programs to provide essential services to veterans, such as child care, dental care, and readjustment for returning combat veterans.

This law also provides support to help homeless veterans. Sadly, every night, nearly 130,000 men and women who served us in uniform sleep out on the streets, with nowhere to go. This law uses an integrated approach to bring together non-profit organizations, the VA, and local governments to reach out to homeless veterans and help find them housing and make sure they know about the benefits available to them.

Our veterans have given selflessly for their country, and we have a moral obligation to provide them with the support they need when they come home.