PRINTER'S NO. 814

THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA

SENATE RESOLUTION

No. 42 Session of 2001

        INTRODUCED BY O'PAKE, BRIGHTBILL, STACK, COSTA, LAVALLE,
           HELFRICK, LOGAN, WAGNER, TARTAGLIONE, MUSTO, THOMPSON, BELL,
           KUKOVICH, TILGHMAN, MOWERY, GREENLEAF, SCHWARTZ, BOSCOLA,
           EARLL, FUMO, STOUT, KITCHEN AND HUGHES, MARCH 27, 2001

        REFERRED TO INTERGOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS, MARCH 27, 2001

                                  A RESOLUTION

     1  Memorializing the President and the Congress of the United
     2     States to take steps to reduce the long waiting list for
     3     veterans to see a physician to obtain benefits at Veterans
     4     Administration medical centers.

     5     WHEREAS, All Americans owe a great debt of gratitude to our
     6  military veterans for their brave and unselfish service to
     7  protect and defend the United States and all of its citizens;
     8  and
     9     WHEREAS, Many World War II and Korean War veterans are
    10  retired and some have serious health problems that require
    11  prompt attention; and
    12     WHEREAS, It is estimated that 16% of the 700,000 veterans
    13  from the Persian Gulf War are receiving disability compensation
    14  and/or treatment which further compounds the pressure on an
    15  already strained health service delivery system; and
    16     WHEREAS, Some of these veterans are waiting seven to ten
    17  months to become eligible for benefits to which they are
    18  entitled; and

     1     WHEREAS, Recent news accounts indicate that approximately
     2  4,600 veterans are on a waiting list to see a physician for
     3  initial approval of benefits at the Lebanon Veterans
     4  Administration Medical Center alone; therefore be it
     5     RESOLVED, That the Senate of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
     6  memorialize the President and the Congress of the United States
     7  to take steps to reduce the waiting lists and end the outrageous
     8  delay of benefits that have been earned by the deserving
     9  veterans of our United States military services; and be it
    10  further
    11     RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to
    12  the President of the United States, to the presiding officers of
    13  each house of Congress and to each member of Congress from
    14  Pennsylvania.











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