Sen. Delph Applauds Inclusion of Veterans Organizations to the Senate’s Proposed Budget Bill

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

STATEHOUSE (April 6, 2017) — State Sen. Mike Delph (R-Carmel) today applauded the Senate’s proposed version of House Bill 1001 for including various funding increases for veteran organizations and programs to support Hoosier veterans. Sen. Delph and State Sen. Ron Alting (R-Lafayette) were at the forefront of bills involving Hyperbaric Oxygen Treatments (HBOT) and Homeless Veterans Grants.


HB 1001 would allocate the following funds to the Indiana Department of Veterans Affairs (IDVA):

  • $500,000 per year for Homeless Veterans Grants
  • $500,000 per year for a two-year pilot program on HBOT, which is a medical treatment that enhances the body's natural healing process through inhalation of 100 percent oxygen in a total body chamber where atmospheric pressure is increased and controlled
  • $300,000 per year for six floating veterans service officers, who will work with the county Veterans Service officers to improve local services for veterans
  • $250,000 per year for USS Indiana Commissioning Committee, which promotes and celebrates the upcoming commissioning of a new state-of-the-art Navy submarine named after Indiana
  • $250,000 per year for Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Inc., an Indianapolis-based organization that honors the sacrifices of Vietnam veterans

Additionally, Veterans Service Organizations (VSOs) will receive a total of $910,000 per year to help improve veterans’ access to services. VSOs advocate for veterans and help them get their benefits. The VSOs named in the budget are:

  • American Legion: $200,000 per year
  • Disabled Veterans: $200,000 per year
  • Veterans of Foreign Wars: $200,000 per year
  • AMVETS: $100,000 per year
  • Vietnam Veterans: $100,000 per year

“This funding will help IDVA and these VSOs better serve veterans by helping them access their hard-earned federal benefits, while improving their quality of life,” Sen. Delph said. “Hoosier veterans have made great sacrifices and I am grateful to see they will continue to be taken care of.”

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A high-resolution photo of State Sen. Mike Delph is available by clicking here.

Contact: Natalie Russell, Press Secretary
Natalie.Russell@iga.in.gov
317-232-7184