October 19, 1998

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

WASHINGTON, D.C. ---- PRESIDENT SIGNS BILL AUTHORIZING MEDICAL FLIGHTS FOR SAMOA VETERANS

CONGRESSMAN FALEOMAVAEGA ANNOUNCED TODAY THAT PRESIDENT CLINTON HAS SIGNED THE FY99 APPROPRIATIONS BILL FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE WHICH INCLUDES A PROVISION AUTHORIZING FREE TRANSPORTATION ON MILITARY AIRCRAFT FOR VETERANS APPROVED FOR VA MEDICAL CARE IN HAWAII.

AS REPORTED IN AN EARLIER RELEASE, CONGRESSMAN FALEOMAVAEGA SAID, "THIS IS A BIG, BIG STEP IN HELPING OUR VETERANS GET THE VA MEDICAL CARE TO WHICH THEY ARE ENTITLED. THE VETERANS ADMINISTRATION (VA) CONTINUES TO PROVIDE MEDICAL CARE TO OUR VETS, BUT THE COST OF TRANSPORTATION TO HAWAII AND BACK HAS BECOME PROHIBITIVE FOR MOST OF THEM." HE ADDED, "A FREE MILITARY FLIGHT TO HAWAII MAKES THIS BENEFIT MORE MEANINGFUL."

NOW THAT THE BILL HAS BECOME LAW, THE VA AND DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE WILL ESTABLISH PROCEDURES BY WHICH ANY VETERAN IN AMERICAN SAMOA ELIGIBLE FOR VA MEDICAL CARE, AND CERTIFIED BY THE VA IN HONOLULU AS AUTHORIZED FOR THE MEDICAL TREATMENT, WILL BE ABLE TO FLY TO HAWAII AND BACK ON MILITARY AIRCRAFT, ON A SPACE AVAILABLE BASIS, AT NO COST. "THIS WILL BE OF TREMENDOUS ASSISTANCE TO ALL OUR VETERANS - -- PARTICULARLY OUR VETS WITH SERVICE-RELATED DISABILITIES," FALEOMAVAEGA SAID.

CONGRESSMAN FALEOMAVAEGA ONCE AGAIN EXPRESSED HIS GRATITUDE TO SENATOR DANIEL INOUYE FOR HIS CONSTANT SUPPORT FOR SAMOA'S NEEDS. HE ALSO THANKED CONGRESSMAN JOHN MURTHA, THE RANKING MEMBER ON THE HOUSE APPROPRIATIONS SUBCOMMITTEE ON DEFENSE AND HIS STAFF FOR THEIR TREMENDOUS HELP.