President Signs NDAA; Includes Critical Provisions for New Veterans

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, October 28, 2009

President Signs NDAA; Includes Critical Provisions for New Veterans  

Mandatory Mental Health Screenings and Limits on Burn Pit Use Included

New York – Today, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA), the nation’s first and largest non-partisan, nonprofit organization representing veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, applauded President Obama for signing the National Defense Authorization Bill (NDAA) which includes several of IAVA’s top legislative priorities.

The legislation:

• 1.     Requires mandatory, face to face, confidential mental health screenings for every returning servicemember.
• 2.     Increases the number of mental health providers in the military.
• 3.     Authorizes a pay increase of 3.4%.
• 4.     Reduces servicemembers’ exposure to hazardous waste by severely limiting the use of open air burn pits in Iraq and Afghanistan.
• 5.     Extends stop loss payments to the Reserve/National Guard.
• 6.     Grants meaningful voting protections for overseas servicemembers.

IAVA Executive Director Paul Rieckhoff stated:

 “Today, the President signed a critical piece of legislation that will save lives and go a long way in helping our nation’s troops and veterans. For years, IAVA has led the fight for improved mental health care for troops and veterans. This bill will help to reduce stigma and finally get our heroes the services and support they desperately need. 

We are pleased that this bill also limits the use of burn pits. In Iraq and Afghanistan, we’ve heard repeatedly about troops falling ill after serving near open-air burn pits. Our members are extremely concerned about this troubling trend.  This legislation is another great step towards protecting the health of America’s warriors.

IAVA thanks President Obama and Congress for continuing to make troops, veterans and their families a priority.”

To arrange an interview with IAVA Executive Director Paul Rieckhoff or a veteran spokesperson, please contact Chrissy Stevens (212)-982-9699 or Chrissy@iava.org. 

Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (www.IAVA.org) is the country's first and largest nonprofit, nonpartisan organization for veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and has more than 150,000 veteran members and civilian supporters nationwide.