Senators Garcia, Allen, Richardville, Birkholz, Pappageorge, Kahn, Hardiman, Jelinek, Gilbert, Patterson, Van Woerkom, Cropsey, McManus, Cassis, Kuipers, Jansen, Olshove, Jacobs, Brown, Stamas, Cherry, Barcia, Switalski, Gleason, Whitmer, Sanborn and Bishop offered the following resolution:

            Senate Resolution No. 105.

            A resolution to memorialize the Congress of the United States to extend to veterans the option of enhanced insurance coverage to utilize private medical care facilities to alleviate some of the need to travel to distant VA hospitals.

            Whereas, The network of medical facilities operated by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) represents the fulfillment of promises to the men and women who have defended our nation through military service. Through its hospitals, clinics, and services, the VA touches the lives of thousands of veterans each day; and

            Whereas, Michigan is home to five VA medical centers, in Ann Arbor, Battle Creek, Detroit, Iron Mountain, and Saginaw. In addition, the state is served by a series of outpatient clinics and community-based outpatient clinics. In spite of these facilities, many of Michigan's veterans are impaired by geography from fully accessing the same level of medical services available to many of their fellow veterans. For example, a Traverse County veteran needing a level of care only available in a VA medical center would have to make a trek of hundreds of miles, possibly all the way to Detroit or Ann Arbor. For a person suffering serious illness, this distance could be a formidable burden; and

            Whereas, Creation of an insurance coverage option that would allow veterans to be treated at a non-VA hospital when one is too far away would seem to be an appropriate approach to pursue. Something along the lines of enhanced Blue Cross/Blue Shield coverage could remedy the inequity of options available for those who have protected America's way of life through military service; now, therefore, be it

            Resolved by the Senate, That we memorialize the Congress of the United States to extend to veterans the option of enhanced insurance coverage to utilize private medical care facilities to alleviate some of the need to travel to distant VA hospitals; and be it further

            Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to the President of the United States Senate, the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, and the members of the Michigan congressional delegation.