This Bill is headed for a markup
hearing tomorrow at the House Veterans
Affairs Committee and we could not
be any happier about it.

We want all of our supporters to stand
tall and Be Proud because our cause
has been just. This Bill has gone through
last minute amendment and it's all about
timing out here and keeping up a unified
message on the issues.

The Fort McClellan Veterans were the
last known group to help push this
Bill over the top, and that will
become apparent to you over the next
few days that it's true.

Everybody, the lost ship at sea of
the VA is starting to right itself
and in so doing, our day of victories
and celebrations near.

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To amend title 38, United States Code, to establish an Ombudsman within the Department of Veterans Affairs. (Introduced in House)


HR 2192 IH


110th CONGRESS

1st Session

H. R. 2192


To amend title 38, United States Code, to establish an Ombudsman within the Department of Veterans Affairs.


IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

May 7, 2007


Mr. HODES introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs


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A BILL


To amend title 38, United States Code, to establish an Ombudsman within the Department of Veterans Affairs.


Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,


SECTION 1. ESTABLISHMENT OF OFFICE OF THE OMBUDSMAN IN DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.

(a) Establishment- Chapter 3 of title 38, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new section:

`Sec. 321. Office of the Ombudsman

`(a) In General- There is established in the Department an Office of the Ombudsman (in this section referred to as the Office). The Secretary shall designate an Ombudsman to carry out the duties of the Office.

`(b) Duties- The Office shall act as a liaison for veterans and their family members with respect to the receipt of health care and benefits administered by the Department.

`(c) Availability of Services- The Secretary shall ensure that the services of the Office are available to all veterans and their family members.

`(d) Confidentiality- Any information provided by veterans or their family members to the Office may be disclosed only to the extent necessary to carry out the duties of the Office.

`(e) Outreach- The Secretary shall make available to each veteran, and to the family members of all veterans, information on contacting and utilizing the services of the Office.'.

(b) Clerical Amendment- The table of sections at the beginning of such chapter is amended by adding at the end the following new item:

`321. Office of the Ombudsman.'.

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End of Bill

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