Washington - U.S. Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ) today introduced the Veterans Navigator Act of 2006 to ensure that those service members transitioning into the Veterans Administration health care system have access to the medical care they need. The bill would provide $25 million in federal grants over the next five fiscal years to create a pilot program to address the myriad of problems that service members face when they move between the Department of Defense and the VA health care systems.

These servicemen and -women are risking their lives to defend our great nation, Menendez said. They should not be prevented from accessing needed medical care once they return home because of a confusing and complicated system. They have served their country, and now their country owes them our best in return.

Building on existing programs run by Veterans Service Organizations and other experienced groups, the program will fund navigators to help service members as they transition between the Department of Defense and the VA. These grants will enable such organizations to expand existing programs in response to increased demand from soldiers entering Veterans status after returning from Afghanistan and Iraq.

While the Veterans Navigator Act targets all veterans or soon-to-be veterans, the bill focuses particular attention on four underserved groups in the military community: seriously injured or wounded soldiers, female soldiers, those suffering from psychological problems like as post-traumatic stress disorder, and members of the activated National Guard and Reserves.

The veteran navigators would not provide direct care or services to veterans, but instead would be required to conduct ongoing outreach to service members returning home. The navigators would have an extensive understanding of the relevant systems and programs available in the community, whether public or private, to serve the veterans needs.

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