U.S. Reps. Brian Mast (R-FL) and Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) last week unveiled legislation that aims to improve transparency and increase accountability for wounded warriors who are seeking an evaluation or medical treatment for a military service-related disability.
Rep. Mast on June 15 sponsored the bipartisan Wounded Warrior Bill of Rights Act, H.R. 8081, with five original cosponsors, including Rep. McMorris Rodgers and U.S. Reps. Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-IA) and Rick Larsen (D-WA), to ensure United States military veterans may effectively appeal decisions made regarding their medical separation from service and entitlement to disability benefits.
“After I was blown up, my recovery was all-consuming — regaining the strength to get out of bed, learning to walk again, and adjusting to life on two prosthetics,” Rep. Mast said. “Unfortunately, bureaucrats at the Department of Defense, who have never had any of these experiences before, are currently making this process even harder by pointing fingers at each other instead of doing what’s in the best interest of these wounded warriors.”
“This bill of rights will protect wounded service members, ensuring they aren’t screwed over by these nameless, faceless bureaucrats,” added the congressman.
Under current law, the civilian-run Defense Health Agency (DHA) determines if a service member is fit to continue military service and what disability benefits he or she will receive if separated, according to information provided by the lawmakers.
Consequently, this has resulted in an unclear command structure at the DHA and service members often find themselves unable to effectively appeal decisions, the information says.
If enacted, H.R. 8081 would return authority to adjudicate appeals to military commanders within each branch so that active duty service members may determine the outcome of appeals, according to the information.
“We have a responsibility to ensure wounded warriors going through the medical separation process are treated fairly with the respect and dignity they’ve earned,” Rep. McMorris Rodgers said. “My hope is this legislation will restore accountability and implement the safeguards needed to prevent any future mistreatment during this process.”
H.R. 8081 has been referred for consideration to the U.S. House Armed Services Committee.