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Culver signs bills to help vets

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By Charlotte Eby | Tuesday, May 6, 2008 12:16 AM CDT | () comments

DES MOINES — Measures meant to improve services for Iowa veterans were signed into law Monday by Gov. Chet Culver.

One bill would allow the Iowa Veterans Trust Fund to be used for veterans’ hearing, dental and vision care as well as prescription drugs, durable medical equipment and services that allow them to remain in their homes.

“Signing these bills into law allows us to once again show our gratitude to Iowa veterans for their service and commitment to improving their quality of life once they return home,” Culver said in a

statement.

The state trust fund was established to assist veterans who aren’t getting the benefits they need through the federal veterans system.

“The veterans commission was receiving applications for these types of services but was not in a position to provide them,” Sen. Steve Warnstadt,

D-Sioux City, said.

Services are available to veterans who sometimes cannot take advantage of them because of income requirements or because the services are too far away, Warnstadt said.

Another bill signed Monday sets standards for county commissions of veterans’ affairs.

The bill establishes the minimum number of hours that county veterans offices must remain open. Warnstadt said close to one-third of Iowa

counties had less than 20 hours of service provided each week, and some counties had no county veterans service office operating.

Counties with populations of 30,000 or fewer would have to be open at least 20 hours per week, and counties with populations between 30,000 and 60,000 would have to be open at least 30 hours per week. Counties with populations over 60,000 would be required to be open 40 hours per week.

The bill sets minimum qualifications for being a veterans’ service officer at the county level, requiring them to be nationally certified for the job and to complete continuing education.

“We wanted to make sure that everyone who has the job of providing service to veterans is keeping up to date on all the changes as it relates to veterans’ services,” Warnstadt said.

The third veterans’ bill Culver signed Monday would open the Vietnam Bonus program to Vietnam veterans who were inducted into the military in Iowa and applied for the bonus but were denied because of residency requirements.

Charlotte Eby can be contacted at (515) 243-0138 or chareby@aol.com. Comment on this story at qctimes.com.