Guam Delegate co-leads on measures to address veteran concerns

In an effort to identify ways to improve Guam veteran services, Delegate James Moylan is co-leading several bills that were introduced last Friday in Washington, D.C.

The VSO Rural Transportation bill resurrects an old grant program, which would authorize state veteran offices and veteran service organizations in rural areas (such as Guam) to apply for grants to purchase vehicles to assist veterans in getting to medical facilities. 

The measure is co-led by Rep. Mary Peltola of Alaska and aims to fund a program that ended a few years ago and her predecessor, the late Don Young, attempted to revive before his unexpected passing. 

If enacted, grants in the amount of “up to $50,000” would be made available without any federal match requirements.

The VA Insurance Improvement Act would extend eligibility for VA Life Insurance coverage for veterans under 81 years, regardless of service-connected disability status. 

Today the veteran must have a service-connected disability. The measure is co-led by Rep. Chris Pappas of New Hampshire.

The Veterans Burial Improvement Act of 2024 would make permanent the VA’s current temporary authority to bury spouses and children who predecease active-duty service members. 

It also authorizes the VA to reimburse a deceased veteran’s survivors a flat fee for travel expenses, rather than force them to fill out a form for a dollar-for-dollar reimbursement during a time of their grieving. This measure is also co-led by Rep. Pappas.

“These measures address certain technicalities which would benefit many veterans over the long term, including those residing in Guam. As someone who has been in the insurance industry for years, I understand the nuances of reinsurers, which could be an administrative challenge for an applicant, and easing the requirements on needing the disability status provides some relief. The burial measure also provides some ease to a family at a time when they really need it,” said Moylan. 

“As the Republican co-lead on these measures, I look forward to working with the VA committee in the House, to try and get these measures included in any larger veteran’s legislative vehicle is being prepared. We must also continue to strive to improve the services and care for our veterans, as this represents just a small piece of the larger pie,” he added.