On Weds., Sept. 24, 2008, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Veterans Mental Health Improvements Act of 2008 by a voice vote. The bill includes two provisions championed by Rep. Ed Perlmutter (CO-07).
The first provision incorporates Perlmutter’s HR 2818 establishing Epilepsy Centers of Excellence within the VA Medical Hospitals to lead the way in epilepsy diagnosis, research, treatment and surgery. Many veterans who have experienced traumatic brain injuries (TBI) will go on to develop epilepsy, and these treatment centers will provide the necessary research and medical care to these veterans. Perlmutter introduced the bill just over one year ago.
“Our service men and women bravely fought for us, now it is time to fight for them and provide them with the best, highest quality medical care available,” said Perlmutter. “As the father of a daughter with epilepsy, I understand and am committed to making sure our nation provides the critical medical care and research necessary to give these brave veterans the highest quality medical treatment by establishing Epilepsy Centers of Excellence within the VA Hospital System.
The second provision authorizes $568.4 million for the construction of a new VA Medical Center to be located at the Fitzsimons medical campus in Aurora .
Perlmutter stated, “This authorization will help meet our moral obligation to our service men and women who defended our freedoms and answered our nation’s call to duty. It is another step forward in our ongoing efforts to construct a state of the art facility with the capabilities of meeting our veterans’ needs.”
