WASHINGTON, D.C. - Legislation originally introduced by Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) that would expand access to services and benefits for veterans living in Appalachia cleared the U.S. Senate Veterans Affairs Committee today as an amendment to Veterans Telehealth and other Care Improvements Act of 2010. It now awaits consideration by the full Senate.

"Veterans in Appalachia deserve the same level of services and benefits received by veterans in Cleveland, Columbus, or Cincinnati," Brown said. "But veterans in Appalachia face unique challenges - from geographic isolation to misallocation and distribution of resources - too many Appalachian veterans struggle with the VA. It is vital that the VA utilize the ARC's unique knowledge of the region so all of Ohio's veterans receive services and benefits they have earned."

Originally introduced as part of The Appalachian Veterans Outreach Improvement Act, Sen. Brown's provision would require the U.S. Department of Veterans' Affairs to implement an outreach program to veterans in economically distressed locations, like Appalachia. VA would be authorized to partner with Federally chartered regional commissions, such as the Appalachian Regional Commission, effort would ensure that veterans are aware of all the VA benefits for which they are eligible, along with other services and credits, from the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), to Small Business Association (SBA) loans, to the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP).

The commissions would be authorized to provide technical assistance, awards grants, or enter into contracts with individuals or entities in their respective region for these purposes. These types of commissions have unique impact in terms of enhancing communication, transportation, access to health care, and other elements of regional development.

There are more than 179,000 veterans in Appalachia's 32 counties who received more than $271 million in VA Benefits in 2009. Sen. Brown and Rep. Wilson are working to inform veterans about all the benefits for which they are eligible. Brown released an analysis on Veterans in Appalachia and the county-by-county breakdown of benefits allocated to Appalachia.

In May 2010, Sen. Brown held a field hearing of the Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs in Cambridge to examine access to services and benefits for veterans living in the Appalachian region. He heard from veterans living throughout southeast Ohio who discussed job retraining, education, and disability compensation. Sen. Brown also visited the Chillicothe VA Medical Center in April where he met with VA leadership, union representatives, and veterans to examine veterans' issues, including veteran homelessness and benefit reforms. Brown also toured the Special Care Unit at the facility.

Sen. Brown previously held a hearing in New Philadelphia in 2007 that explored medical issues facing Veterans in Appalachia. Following this hearing, Sen. Brown introduced the Veterans Emergency Care Fairness Act of 2007 to require the VA to reimburse private hospitals for emergency care before a veteran is transferred to a VA medical facility.

Brown, a member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs, is the author of several legislative initiatives that would strengthen our nation's commitment to veterans by improving education reimbursements and expanding employment protection for former service members.  Brown has held more than 140 community events since being sworn into office in 2007 - holding at least one roundtable discussion with community leaders in each of Ohio's 88 counties. Many of Brown's legislative priorities, including his jobs initiatives, originated from these discussion

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