From his perch as vice chairman of the U.S. House Veterans’ Affairs Committee, this week, U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis, R-Fla., continued his campaign to ensure the VA gives veterans more options to use alternative treatments.
In a subcommittee hearing on Thursday, Bilirakis urged U.S. VA Acting Undersecretary for Health Poonam Alaigh to pursue more alternative treatments, including sports therapy and service dogs.
“Alternative therapies mean our veterans are empowered with more options to find the care that works best for them. I’m glad the VA is examining evidence-based alternative therapies as a holistic approach to treating Veterans, particularly those dealing with severe pain and opioid addiction,” Bilirakis said. “Our veterans deserve more than a one-size-fits-all approach to their health care, and with my COVER Act, along with the administration’s efforts, we can make alternative therapies more accessible.”
Bilirakis has been urging the VA to embrace alternative treatment over the past two years. In January 2015, he brought out the “Creating Options for Veterans Expedited Recovery (COVER) Act” which had the VA study how alternative treatments can be used in its health-care system. Last year, Bilirakis folded much of that proposal into his “Promoting Responsible Opioid Management and Incorporating Scientific Expertise Act” (PROMISE Act) which would make the VA and DOD update their guidelines for prescribing opioids. The proposal also increases transparency and makes the VA share more information with state licensing boards.
So far in 2017, Bilirakis has spent much of his focus on veterans issues and how the VA can improve its services.
Back in March, Bilirakis, one of the co-chairs of the Hellenic Caucus, drew on classical Grecian history, to bring out the VA Guidance for Organizational Reform and Data Integrity for Accountability Needs Key for Necessary and Optimal Transformation (“GORDIAN KNOT”) Act. Legend has it that the Gordian Knot was a puzzle based in Phrygia and, whoever would untie the knot, would be the master of Asia. Confronted with the knot, Alexander the Great cut it apart with his sword. According to Bilirakis’ office, the proposal “focuses on key areas of improvement within the agency, like enhancing the transparency of data collected and reported, and ensuring greater accountability overall.”
Also in March, Bilirakis unveiled the Veterans Early Treatment for Chronic Ailment Resurgence through Examinations (VET CARE) Act which expands dental care for veterans, creating a four year pilot program. Currently, only fully disabled veterans or those with service related injuries get dental benefits through the VA.
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