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Veterans
Articles
Veterans with MS speak of problems a bill seeks to cure
Murray is gathering information to bolster legislation she introduced in December aimed at all MS veterans, especially for those among the nearly 700,000 veterans of Operation Desert Storm and Desert Shield in 1991. Those veterans have suffered neurological disorders in disproportionate numbers.
- Seattle Post-Intelligencer - February 22, 2006
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First Gulf War still claims lives
Since the disease can take a long time to manifest itself, Murray also has proposed in a bill to remove the seven-year limit veterans have after leaving the service to report the illness and get government help. Removing the limit would apply to those in combat service in the war.
- Seattle Post-Intelligencer - January 16, 2006
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Among those reportedly planning to testify to the 11-member Local Advisory Panel is Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., who played a major role in convincing the federal VA to further study Walla Walla's hospital and also securing $250,000 for an economic development study of the historic facilities.
- WW Union-Bulletin - April 30, 2005
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More must be spent on care for veterans
Murray's proposal was sound. The reasoning for rejecting it was simply unreasonable. In fact, reason had little to do with its defeat. The additional funding for veterans' health care seems to have been rejected because it was proposed by a Democrat.
- WW Union-Bulletin Editorial Board - April 15, 2005
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Murray's amendment would have provided $525 million for mental health care for returning veterans, a large portion of which would have gone toward those with post traumatic stress disorder; $610 million for the newest veterans; and $40 million for each veterans' regional network, for opening new clinics and meeting local needs.
- Walla Walla Union-Bulletin - April 15, 2005
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Murray loses VA health care effort
“I won’t give up,” Murray said. “But it is disheartening to have people not understand what is happening on the ground in local communities to these men and women.”
- The News Tribune - April 13, 2005
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Veteran health care proposal fails in Senate
With the Senate debating what is and is not an emergency, Murray's amendment faced criticism from Republicans who argued that the VA system did not need any immediate health care funding. That argument left her "stunned," she said. Murray described VA hospital beds held together with duct tape, broken operating tables, poorly maintained medical equipment and budget shortfalls in VA hospitals across the country, including in Washington state.
"I am just appalled that this is what this argument has come down to on this floor," she said during the debate. "If this is not an emergency, then I don't know what is."
- Spokesman Review - April 13, 2005
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Senate rejects Murray's proposal to boost VA hospital spending
There's a train wreck coming," Murray warned.
Republicans denied the VA had such serious problems. They noted the Bush administration said the additional funding wasn't needed and that it had enough money to cope with emergencies.
- Seattle Post-Intelligencer - April 12, 2005
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Spend more, not less, on our veterans
McMorris has been working with U.S. Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., to ensure that Wainwright is maintained as a full-service hospital. 'I believe she has done a tremendous job already' in protecting the local hospital from cuts, McMorris said of Murray.
- WW Union-Bulletin Editorial Board- March 24, 2005
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Alaska senators back lesser of two plans for veteran health care
"But I remind my colleagues that the number of veterans needing veterans health care has increased 88 percent. Medical inflation has increased 92 percent. Even with the amendment that Republicans have offered, we will not be meeting the needs of the veterans, the men and women who have served this country," Murray said.
- Fairbanks Daily News-Miner - March 21, 2005
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Craig wins boost in veterans funds
Although Murray voted for Craig's amendment, she said it provided only "a token amount" for veterans. Murray's amendment would have provided an additional $1.4 billion to VA's medical services, $578 million to extend VA care to veterans of all incomes and $527 million to help cover the costs of new veterans enrolling in the VA system.
- The Spokesman Review - March 17, 2005
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Senator named to Veterans' Affairs subcommittee
"With our military's needs at the fore, and veterans returning home to every corner of our state, my new position will be another opportunity to champion the needs of our state."
- Walla Walla Union Bulletin - March 10, 2005
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Veterans deserve better treatment
“Murray warns the government is again reneging on its persistent pledges to veterans, new and old, to compensate them for their sacrifices.”
- The News Tribune - March 2, 2005
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Budget plan cuts veterans’ benefits
In asking some veterans to shoulder the cost of the new fees, Nicholson said it would ensure “sufficient resources for the care of those who need us most.” Murray, however, berated Nicholson and, at a subsequent hearing, Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld. She said they are reneging on a commitment to take care of all veterans, regardless of whether they had served in combat or had been seriously wounded.
- The News Tribune - February 25, 2005
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The $82 billion Bush budget proposal for operations in Iraq and Afghanistan penalizes veterans and returning soldiers who have already more than paid their dues, Sen. Patty Murray said Tuesday.
- The Yakima Herald-Republic - February 23, 2005
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Sen. Murray, Rep. Baird seek billions more for VA
During hearings this week, Murray argued that "the cost of caring for our veterans is a cost of war" and should be included in the emergency spending bill.
- The Olympian - February 18, 2005
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Bush's budget for vets draws fire
"We have 4,000 National Guard and reserve folks coming home (to Washington state) in a few short weeks, "Murray said. "At a minimum 20 percent of them will need post-traumatic stress syndrome help of some kind … We need to make sure they get the support they need because it will impact them, their families, their employers and their communities."
- The Spokesman Review - February 16, 2005
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Veterans' advocates fear funds won't follow good intentions
Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., is among those who support making VA funding
mandatory.
"A budget is about priorities," said Murray, a member of the
Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee. "One of the top priorities
is taking care of those who serve and protect us."
- The Olympian = November 12, 2004
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Walla Walla Rallies Aroud VA Hospital
Cole said Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., has been helpful throughout the process. He said Murray's efforts recently resulted in a pledge from Principi to look closely at the issue of representation.
- The Observer - August 27, 2004
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Senate blocks veterans' health care bill
"Today, we had an outstanding opportunity to make a landmark commitment to the veterans who've served us so well," Murray said in a statement after Wednesday's vote on a procedural issue raised by the Senate's Republican leadership effectively blocked the amendment.
- Spokesman Review - June 25, 2004
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VA Hospital will stay after all
"It was a community that came together. ...I have been so impressed with the people of Walla Walla,' she said. ``It was the veterans, the support groups, the doctors, the hospitals, the local leaders who made this happen. There wasn't a person who wasn't involved."
- Walla Walla Union-Bulletin - May 7, 2004
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Walla Walla VA hospital spared
"I think he has finally heard the concerns that I and the local veterans and the community leaders have given him time and again about the need for services," Murray said from Washington, D.C. "He is leaving the mission of the Walla Walla campus unchanged."
- Tri-City Herald - May 7, 2004
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Bush rejects plan to shut veterans hospital
"I am so relieved, for all the veterans and the whole community who worked so hard to make their voices heard," said U.S. Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash. "It made a difference."
- Seattle Times - May 7, 2004
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VA to establish Central Washington clinic by 2006
"This report ensures we'll have a local VA clinic open by 2006, which is great news for veterans in North Central Washington, but we need to make sure our veterans have access to their local hospital as soon as possible,"
- Seattle Post-Intelligencer - May 3, 2004
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Veterans centers at a crossroads in ML
"Closing this facility will put accessible care out of the reach of the region's veterans including the new generation of combat veterans returning home from Iraq and Afghanistan," Murray wrote. "It is clear that private facilities do not have the capacity to absorb the additional patient load."
- Columbia Basin Herald - April 30, 2004
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Murray asks Bush in letter to keep VA center open
"This facility is tremendously important," Murray wrote the president. "It provides real care to veterans, and is a treasured community asset. Please take a very hard look at the case to keep the Walla Walla VA open."
- Spokesman Review - April 27, 2004
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Murray halts confirmation of VA official
"Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., said Thursday she intends to hold up the confirmation of a Department of Veterans Affairs official until the department releases a plan to provide health care for veterans in northcentral Washington"
- The Spokesman Review - April 23, 2004
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Silence on VA Care Options Is Appalling
"Echoing U.S. Sen. Patty Murray, who held a hearing last week in Walla Walla, we don't think the case has been made yet for closure."
- Yakima Herald-Republic - April 18, 2004
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"After a sometimes-feisty field hearing of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee, Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., vowed to take the battle back to Washington, D.C., to get the hospital off a closure list. "I want to put the (Veterans Administration) on notice that what they do here will be noticed,' Murray said at the close of the afternoon-long hearing."
- Walla Walla Union-Bulletin - April 13, 2004
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In the Northwest: Closing VA hospital would be a tragic irony of war
"In turn, Murray has used her clout as a senior member of the Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs to become the hospital's most tenacious defender and advocate. She was chairwoman of a Monday field hearing here that drew 450 people."
- Seattle Post-Intelligencer - April 13, 2004
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Murray vows to fight for hospital
"Murray, D-Wash., blasted the Veterans' Affairs Department for failing to study how it would replace mental health, substance abuse and nursing home care that the center now provides. "Closing this facility without that kind of preparation does a disservice to all the veterans here today," Murray told an audience of about 400 at Walla Walla Community College."
- Tri-City Herald - April 13, 2004
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"Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., is a member of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee. It was at Murray's request that Sen. Arlen Specter, the Pennsylvania Republican who heads the committee, agreed to hold a Senate hearing on the VA plan in Walla Walla. The hearing is set for 1 pm. Monday at the Walla Walla Community College conference center."
- Walla-Walla Union Bulletin - April 10, 2004
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Murray meeting to focus on impact on vets
"Murray, who is a member of the Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs, requested the field hearing last month during a meeting of the Senate committee. The hearing will focus on the potential impact to health care for Washington state veterans from recommendations by the federal Capital Asset Realignment for Enchanced Services commission."
- Walla-Walla Union Bulletin - April 10, 2004
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Senator to Conduct Field Hearing on Walla Walla, Wash., Veterans Hospital
"Washington state veterans who will be affected by federal decisions deserve to have their voices heard," Murray said in a statement released Wednesday, "and this hearing will give them that opportunity.”
- Spokesman-Review - April 2, 2004
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Vets irate over hospital plan
"But Murray, who is also a committee member, questioned whether the recommendation to close Walla Walla was based on a sound policy. ‘‘There are no other facilities in Walla Walla to contract out to,'' said Murray."
- Spokesman Review - March 7, 2004
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New hearing OK'd on proposed VA hospital changes
"Murray's request for a new hearing came as she and other senators met with the Veterans Affairs Committee Tuesday to talk about the CARES commission, Glass said."
- Union-Bulletin - March 4, 2004
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Panel: Keep VA site open
"Soldiers from Southwest Washington can rest assured that when they return home from Iraq and Afghanistan, they will have the services they need here in Vancouver."
- The Columbian - February 14, 2004
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Vancouver VA facilities endorsed by federal panel
"I am convinced that Vancouver and Southwest Washington veterans saved the facility with their determined advocacy. I want to thank Vancouver Mayor Royce Pollard for his passionate leadership. I am proud to have been a part of this great team effort on behalf of the Vancouver VA."
- The Columbian - December 19, 2003
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Vancouver VA facilities endorsed by federal panel
"I am convinced that Vancouver and Southwest Washington veterans saved the facility with their determined advocacy. I want to thank Vancouver Mayor Royce Pollard for his passionate leadership. I am proud to have been a part of this great team effort on behalf of the Vancouver VA."
- The Columbian - December 19, 2003
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Op Ed - Senator Murray: Veterans' sacrifice deserves more than lip service
"No one can predict how long the war on terrorism will last. But we do know that more soldiers will be called to duty and that today's soldiers are tomorrow's veterans. Before our young people answer the call to serve their country, they must know that they will be protected when they return."
- Seattle Times - November 11, 2003
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VA approves veterans health center in Vancouver
"Moving ahead with this project is a great way to honor those who have served our nation."
- Seattle Post-Intelligencer - November 10, 2003
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VA hospital plan angers veterans
"The Walla Walla medical center serves up to 12,000 veterans a year, but has about 69,000 veterans in its 42,000-square-mile service area. 'If the center closes, veterans would have to travel to the Portland, Spokane or Boise VA centers for routine care,' said Judy Olson, speaking on behalf of Murray. 'But the Spokane center already has a list of almost 3,000 veterans waiting to see a primary care physician,' she said."
- Tri-City Herald - September 30, 2003
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Cutbacks threaten planned VA center
“It's key for Vancouver to present a united front in fighting closure, said Murray, who met with local officials at the Vancouver VA Medical Center."
- The Columbian - August 14, 2003
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"Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., sounded the alarm last week when she was tipped that the VA's top administrators were considering closing medical facilities in Vancouver, Walla Walla and American Lake in the Tacoma area. She is on the Senate's committee on veterans. "
- The Oregonian - August 1, 2003
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Although VA hospital saved, system is grossly underfunded
"The American Lake veterans hospital is off the chopping block. thanks to loud squawks from U.S. Sen. Patty Murray (D-Shoreline) and other members of the state's congressional delegation. But the sudden uproar over the potential closure of the popular Lakewood facility is just a symptom of a larger problem - a chronically underfunded veterans' health care system that promises more than it can deliver. "
- Tacoma News Tribune - August 1, 2003
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Veterans medical center in Vancouver, Wash., could close
“A veterans medical center near Tacoma will remain open, but facilities in Vancouver and Walla Walla still could be closed, the office of Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., reported Wednesday. Anthony Principi, secretary of veterans affairs, in a phone conversation with Murray promised a fair hearing concerning the fate of the other two centers.”
- The Oregonian - July 31, 2003
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VA decides to keep American Lake open
“Sen. Patty Murray (D-Shoreline) said VA Secretary Anthony Principi told in her a telephone call Wednesday of the decision to keep the American Lake facility open. The senator had called the earlier decision to study closing the three Washington state hospitals ‘outrageous’ and vowed to fight it every step of the way."
- Tacoma News Tribune - July 31, 2003
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Murray can't get answers about VA hospital
"A top official of the Department of Veterans Affairs, under questioning from Sen. Patty Murray, refused to answer questions Tuesday about the possible closure of the VA hospital at American Lake. 'I can't address it,' Tim McClain, the department's general counsel, said repeatedly as Murray tried to pin him down about the future of the hospital near Tacoma and two others in Washington state. 'I find it astounding to hear your responses,' she said. 'You knew I was going to ask about this.'"
- The News Tribune - July 30, 2003
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Veterans Affairs considering closures at Vancouver campus
“‘I am shocked and angered that despite a growing veterans population and increasing need for health-care services, VA headquarters is advocating the closure of facilities in Washington state,’ Murray said in a statement.”
- The Columbian - July 25, 2003
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