Representative Mike Michaud represents Maine's 2nd District in the United States Congress.

During the 110th Congress, the House of Representatives passed several veteran-related health care bills and sent them to the Senate for further action. While the Senate has largely been inactive in advancing many of these measures, this week they passed and sent back to the House S. 2162, the Veterans' Mental Health and Other Care Improvements Act of 2008. S. 2162 bundles together a number of provisions that I authored and passed in the House, including important provisions on substance use disorders, health care access improvements, and addressing homelessness among veterans. It took a while, but I am pleased that this legislation has passed and is now cleared for the president’s signature.

Together, these provisions will increases access to quality health care for all our veterans. The bill makes crucial updates to existing programs and authorizes new and innovative ways to deliver care.

Included in S. 2162, are provisions from the Rural Veterans Access to Care Act (H.R. 1527), which directs the Secretary of the VA to conduct a pilot program (which includes Maine) to permit certain highly rural veterans enrolled in the VA health system to receive covered health services through providers other than those of the VA.

As a cosponsor of the Rural Veterans Access to Care Act, I have worked closely with the sponsor in making sure that the provisions of this bill become a reality. This pilot program includes the state of Maine and would allow a highly rural veteran who is enrolled in the VA system to elect to receive covered health services through a non-VA health care provider. This is a major step forward in our efforts to increase access to those veterans that live far from VA facilities.

Also included in S. 2162 is the Justin Bailey Veterans Substance Use Disorders Prevention and Treatment Act (H.R. 5554), a bill I authored. This bill requires the VA to provide the full continuum of care for substance use disorders and it would require this full spectrum of care to be available at every VA medical center. The legislation also directs the VA to conduct a pilot program for internet-based substance use disorder treatment for veterans of Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom.

Over the past several years, Congress has increased funding for VA health care, including for substance abuse treatment programs. However, substance use disorders frequently co-occur with other mental health conditions, and the need for services is increasing. VA needs to rededicate itself to providing comprehensive services that can address both substance abuse and other mental health conditions such as PTSD. By passing this bill we are taking a huge step forward.

Other provisions in S. 2162 are from the Homes for Heroes Act (H.R. 3329). This legislation provides shelter for homeless veterans and homeless veteran families, and helps prevent low-income families from falling into homelessness. I joined with Congressman Al Green in introducing this bill in August of last year.

I am so pleased Congress voted to give our homeless veterans a benefit they have earned - the promise of a home for themselves and their family. This bill does more than merely bring to light the struggles that many veterans face. It provides tangible solutions so that veterans can get off the streets and get into sustainable housing. Passing these provisions means that more than 400,000 of our bravest Americans will be one step closer to being able to say they have a house to call their own.

S. 2162 also directs the VA to carry out a research program on PTSD and substance use disorder through the National Center for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. The bill includes important assistance for families of veterans, such as marriage and family counseling, in addition to authorizing medical facility projects and major medical facility leases for Fiscal Year 2009.

This legislative package represents a major step forward in living up to our country's shared commitment to honor the sacrifices of the men and women who have served our country. I will continue to work to ensure that the next Congress is as productive as this one has been on issues important to our nation's veterans.