loebsack.house.gov
Dave Loebsack
Contact:
Gabby Adler 202.225.6576
REP. LOEBSACK VOTES TO BETTER SUPPORT OUR TROOPS
As Passed, the National Defense Authorization Act Includes Rep. Loebsack’s Military Pain Care Act
Washington, D.C., May 23 -
Yesterday evening, Congressman Dave Loebsack voted in
“The safety, health,
Pain is the most common symptom in servicemembers returning
In response, Congressman Loebsack successfully included a critical
Our service members are our most valuable national security
As a result of our continued presence in This legislation helps restore our nation’s military
Lastly, the National Defense Authorization Act includes
This legislation will next move to conference to be combined
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support of a comprehensive plan to protect our troops in harm’s way, restore
military readiness and provide servicemen and women with a much-needed pay
raise. The National Defense Authorization Act, H.R. 5658, also included
language from Congressman Loebsack’s Military Pain Care Act, H.R. 5465. These provisions will ensure all
servicemembers access to proper pain care management by requiring the
Department of Defense to implement a well-defined and comprehensive pain
management program for all active servicemembers in the military health
system.
and wellbeing of every man and women serving in our nation’s military has been
a top priority of mine since I began my service in Congress,” said Congressman
Loebsack. “I am proud to have worked
with my colleagues on the House Armed Services Committee to craft legislation
that will ensure our troops get better health care, better pay, better
protections, and the benefits they have earned.”
from combat and is the leading cause of disability amongst our nation’s
veterans. Today, roughly 47% of
returning
veterans have reported pain-related problems and symptoms. Yet, the Department of Defense does not have
a comprehensive, consistent, or adequate pain care program.
provision in the National Defense Authorization Act during Committee mark-up
that will tackle the deficiency of pain care in the military health care
system. First, the Secretary of Defense
will be required to develop a plan to implement a comprehensive pain care
initiative that will ensure delivery and adequacy of care across programs and
facilities. Second, the Secretary of
Defense will be required to address the inclusion of comprehensive pain care
services in Tricare.
asset. They and their families sacrifice every day. The legislation passed provides all service
members a pay raise of 3.9 percent and extends the authority for the Defense
Department to offer bonuses and incentive pay.
The bill goes even further to support our troops and their families by
prohibiting fee increases in TRICARE and the TRICARE pharmacy program,
expanding available health care services, and improving family support for
military families.
readiness has dropped to unprecedented levels, and Army National Guard units
have, on average, only 63 percent of their required equipment. And many stateside units, including those in
are not fully equipped and would not be considered ready if called upon to
respond during a domestic emergency.
readiness by funding the Army’s and Marine Corps’ equipment reset requirements,
authorizing nearly $2 billion for unfunded readiness initiatives including
addressing additional equipment shortfalls, and authorizing $800 million to
provide the National Guard and Reserve critically needed equipment. Additionally, it protects our troops in
harm’s way by authorizing $2.6 billion for additional Mine Resistant Ambush
Protected (MRAP) vehicles, $947 million for additional Up-Armored Humvees, and
$783 million for the continued procurement and enhancement of personal body armor.
contractor reforms and improves accountability, while also requiring the Iraqi
government to pay more of its fair share of reconstruction costs and banning
permanent bases in
with the Senate version of the National Defense Authorization Act.