Representative Continues to Fight for Veterans

The series of bills would assist veterans from a number of eras.

Tomorrow's veterans: on patrol in Kabul, Afghanistan in November '06 Photo by: Tim King

(SALEM, Ore.) - Oregon State Representative Donna Nelson (R-McMinnville) is fighting to serve our veterans with a series of bills currently under consideration in the House Revenue Committee.

House Bill 3197 provides a tax incentive for health care providers to participate in TRICARE, the federal program to provide health insurance to military members and their families.

Many veterans living in rural areas have difficulty accessing health care, due to the lack of regional VA medical centers, and the lack of health care providers who participate in TRICARE.

House Bill 3197 will help veterans meet their health care needs while bringing millions of dollars in federal funds into Oregon.

House Bill 3201 and House Bill 3205 provide tax credits for residential care for disabled veterans and long-term care insurance coverage for veterans.

As World War II and Korean War-era veterans age, there is a growing need for residential and long-term care.

Furthermore, young veterans returning home from combat with debilitating injuries may need a lifetime of specialized care. These two bills will help veterans receive the care they need.

House Bill 3202 updates the existing income tax deduction for wages earned for military service. The existing deduction has not been changed since it was enacted 30 years ago, when salaries and costs of living were significantly lower. House Bill 3202 also provides a tax incentive to work as part of the Oregon Youth Challenge program, an alternative education program for at-risk and special-needs teens, located in Bend. The Oregon Youth Challenge has had significant difficulties recruiting and retaining personnel due to the high cost of living in Bend.

All four of these bills are scheduled for public hearings in the House Revenue Committee on Thursday, May 17th. Each was previously approved by the House Veterans Affairs Committee.