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    "ocrText": "The original documents are located in Box 63, folder \"10/14/76 HR71 Medical Care for\nCertain Members of Allied Wartime Forces\" of the White House Records Office:\nLegislation Case Files at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library.\nCopyright Notice\nThe copyright law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code) governs the making of\nphotocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material. Gerald R. Ford donated to the United\nStates of America his copyrights in all of his unpublished writings in National Archives collections.\nWorks prepared by U.S. Government employees as part of their official duties are in the public\ndomain. The copyrights to materials written by other individuals or organizations are presumed to\nremain with them. If you think any of the information displayed in the PDF is subject to a valid\ncopyright claim, please contact the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library.\nExact duplicates within this folder were not digitized.\n810/14/76\n9/61 B1 130\nTHE WHITE HOUSE\nACTION\nWASHINGTON\nOctober 13, 1976\nLast Day: October 23\nPurate Garden\nRose\nMEMORANDUM FOR THE PRESIDENT\nFROM:\nJIM CANNON\nSUBJECT:\nH.R. 71 - Medical care for certain members\nof allied wartime forces\nAttached for your consideration is H.R. 71, sponsored by\nRepresentative Annunzio and 24 others.\nThe enrolled bill extends VA medical care entitledment to\npersons who served in the Polish and Czechoslovakian Armed\nForces during World Wars I or II on the same basis as though\nthey had served in the U.S. forces, if they:\n-- subsequently served honorably in or with the Armed\nForces of France or Great Britain;\n-- participated in armed conflict with an enemy of the\nUnited States, and\n-- have been citizens of the U.S. for at least 10 years,\nand are not entitled to payment for equivalent care\nand services under a foreign government's program for\nits World War I or II veterans.\nAdditional information is provided in OMB's enrolled bill\nreport at Tab A.\nThe Veterans Administration recommends disapproval of the\nenrolled bill.\nOMB, Max Friedersdorf, Counsel's Office (Lazarus), Bill\nBaroody (Kuropas) and I recommend approval of the enrolled\nbill.\nRECOMMENDATION\nThat you sign H.R. 71 at Tab B.\nLIGRA GERALO FORT\nDigitized from Box 63 of the White House Records Office Legislation Case Files at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library\nOF THE\nTHE\nFRESIDENT\nOF THE\nEXECUTIVE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT\nOFFICE\nSENTIVE\nUNITED\nOFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET\nNAME\nSTATE\nWASHINGTON, D.C. 20503\nOCT 13 1976\nMEMORANDUM FOR THE PRESIDENT\nSubject: Enrolled Bill H.R. 71 - Medical care for\ncertain members of allied wartime forces\nSponsor - Rep. Annunzio (D) Illinois and\n24 others\nLast Day for Action\nOctober 23, 1976 - Saturday\nPurpose\nExtends Veterans Administration (VA) medical care\nentitlement to certain persons who served in the\nCzechoslovakian and Polish armed forces during World\nWars I or II.\nAgency Recommendations\nOffice of Management and Budget\nApproval\nVeterans Administration\nDisapproval (Memo-\nrandum of disapproval\nattached)\nDiscussion\nH.R. 71 extends VA medical care entitlement to persons\nwho served in the Polish and Czechoslovakian Armed Forces\nduring World Wars I or II on the same basis as though\nthey had served in the U.S. forces, if they:\n-- subsequently served honorably in or with the\nArmed Forces of France or Great Britain,\n-- participated in armed conflict with an enemy\nof the United States, and\n-- have been citizens of the U.S. for at least\n10 years, and are not entitled to payment for equivalent\n2\ncare and services under a foreign government's program\nfor its World War I or II veterans.\nThe bill specifically provides that, in order to assist\nVA in making a determination of proper service eligi-\nbility, applicants must obtain from the French Ministry\nof Defense or the British War Office an authenticated\ncertification of service in the Czechoslovakian or Polish\nArmed Forces and subsequent service in or with the Armed\nForces of France or Great Britain.\nIn explaining the reasons for the bill, the report of the\nHouse Committee on Veterans' Affairs states that many\nPolish and Czech veterans who immigrated to the United\nStates after World War II have no way to secure needed\nmedical and hospital care. They cannot obtain veterans'\nbenefits from the VA because they are not veterans of\nthe Armed Forces of the United States, and they have\nno recourse to benefits in their former homelands.\nUnder current law, VA may furnish various forms of\nmedical care to allied or associated nations' World War\nI or II veterans, provided that:\n-- the foreign nation has a similar veterans'\nprogram and extends reciprocal medical privileges to\nU.S. veterans abroad,\n-- officials of the foreign nation request the care\nfor the veteran and the Administrator approves it, and\n-- space in a VA medical facility is available.\nThis reciprocal arrangement has been used with several\nnations including Canada, Great Britain, Australia,\nNew Zealand and South Africa. However, in view of the\nchange in government control in Czechoslovakia and Poland\nfollowing World War II, recourse to the reciprocal\nservices authority is not available to American citizens\nwho served with the armies of these countries.\nBills similar to H.R. 71 have been introduced in each\nCongress for the past fifteen years. VA consistently\nopposed the bills on the grounds that they constituted\na departure from long-standing policy that VA provide\nbenefits solely for U.S. Armed Forces veterans, and that\n3\nthey would set a precedent which could lead to the\nextension of other VA benefits, such as pensions,\ndisability compensation and burial benefits, to\nthese and similar groups. Some veterans groups also\nopposed the legislation because they were concerned\nthat U.S. veterans would be displaced from VA facilities\n(since Polish and Czech veterans with service-connected\nconditions would be given priority over non-service\nconnected U.S. veterans), and that such proposals would\nchange the historic nature of VA programs.\nEarlier this year you decided that the Administration\nshould not oppose H.R. 71 since many of the potentially\neligible Polish and Czech veterans may not qualify for,\nor be able to afford, other health care. Although the\nSenate passed a version of H.R. 71 that would have\nextended medical care entitlement to a much broader\ngroup of veterans, both houses subsequently agreed to\nthe more narrowly drawn version you found acceptable.\nIt is difficult to provide an accurate cost estimate\nof H.R. 71, since almost no information is available\non the number, age and potential demand for VA care\nof the Polish and Czechoslovakian veterans who may be\neligible under the bill. The Polish veterans organiza-\ntions estimate 15,000 eligibles. VA estimates that\nH.R. 71 will result in an annual cost of approximately\n$1.2 million, and has indicated informally that these\ncosts can be absorbed within VA program appropriations.\nAgency Recommendations\nVA recommends that you withhold your approval of H.R. 71\nand has attached a draft memorandum of disapproval for\nyour consideration. In its views letter, VA states:\n\"We are keenly aware that personnel of the\nallied forces encompassed by this bill\ndisplayed exceptional bravery and determina-\ntion during two major wars\nHowever, we\nstill do not believe that citizens, who are\nnot veterans of service in the armed forces\nof the United States, should be provided\nmedical care benefits based purely on service\nwith some other nation's armed forces rendered\nprior to becoming a citizen of this country.\"\n4\n********\nWe share the concerns expressed by VA regarding the\nenrolled version of H.R. 71, particularly those re-\ngarding the precedent which the bill would set. At the\nsame time, it should be noted that H.R. 71 would affect\nrelatively few veterans, given the eligibility conditions\nthat must be met. Moreover, we believe that the\ncircumstances addressed by the enrolled bill are unique,\nand this may aid us in resisting broad changes in VA's\nmedical care system. As we noted earlier, the enrolled\nversion of H.R. 71 is the version that you indicated to\nthe Congress would be acceptable. Accordingly, we\nrecommend approval of H.R. 71.\nJames James Director T. Lbg Lynn\nEnclosures\nNote to file:\nI received verbal recommendations for signing from\nMax Friedersdorf, Ken Lazarus, Myron Kuropas, David\nLissy.\nJudy Johnston,\n10/13\nNOTICE VETER ANS\nVETERANS ADMINISTRATION\nOFFICE OF THE ADMINISTRATOR OF VETERANS AFFAIRS\nAMERICAN REVOLUTION INFENTENNIAL\nWASHINGTON, D.C. 20420\n1776-1976\n@\nTM\n1930\nOctober 12, 1976\nThe Honorable\nJames T. Lynn\nDirector, Office of\nManagement and Budget\nWashington, D. C. 20503\nDear Mr. Lynn:\nThis will respond to your request for a report by\nthe Veterans Administration on the enrolled enactment of\nH.R. 71, 94th Congress, a bill \"To amend title 38, United\nStates Code, to provide hospital and medical care to certain\nmembers of the armed forces of nations allied or associated\nwith the United States in World War I or World War II.\"\nThe subject bill would amend section 109 of title\n38, United States Code, to extend to any person who served\nduring World War I or World War II as a member of any armed\nforce of the Governments of Czechoslovakia or Poland, and\nparticipated while so serving in armed conflict with an en-\nemy of the United States, and has been a citizen of the\nUnited States for at least ten years, entitlement to hos-\npital care, medical services, and domiciliary care under\nchapter 17 of title 38.\nThe bill would further require each applicant to\nfurnish an authenticated certification from the French\nMinistry of Defense or the British War Office as to records\nin either such Office which clearly indicate military service\nin the Czechoslovakian or Polish armed forces and subsequent\nservice in or with the armed forces of France or Great Britain\nduring the period of World War I or World War II.\nUnder the bill, benefits would not be available\nto a person who is entitled to payment for equivalent care\nand services under a program established by such foreign\ngovernment for persons who served in its armed forces during\nWorld War I or World War II.\nSection 109 (a) (1) of title 38 currently authorizes\nthe Administrator, in consideration of reciprocal services\nextended to the United States and upon a reimbursable basis,\nto furnish hospital care, medical services, and education,\ntraining or similar benefits to discharged members of the\narmed forces of the government of any nation allied, or\nassociated, with the United States in World War I (except\na nation which was an enemy of the United States in World\nWar II), or World War II, if such benefits are authorized\nby such government for its veterans. Section 109(b) provides\nthat persons who served in the active service in the armed\nforces of any government allied with the United States in\nWorld War II, and who at the time of entrance into such\nservice were citizens of the United States, are, if other-\nwise qualified, entitled to the benefits of chapters 31\nand 37 of title 38 in the same manner and to the same extent\nas U. S. veterans of World War II, provided he is a resident\nat the time of filing a claim, and has not received similar\nbenefits from the nation in whose armed forces he served.\nThe subject bill goes much further than the pro-\nvisions for temporary World War II readjustment benefits.\nIt would include many persons who were not citizens when\nthey served and would provide basic hospital and medical\nbenefits under our continuing program. While the need for\nmedical benefits might appear to be most urgent, the granting\nof this relief would doubtless be followed by demands for other\ncontinuing benefits, such as compensation and pension.\nThe general policy of Congress, except as to those\nbenefits in section 109 (b) of title 38, United States Code,\nhas been to provide benefits solely for veterans who served\nin the armed forces of the United States and their dependents.\nThe extension of certain benefits (although provided on a\nreciprocal basis in section 109 (a)) to persons who served\n2.\nwith governments allied with the United States, but who ren-\ndered no service in the United States Armed Forces, would be\na departure from this policy.\nWe not only believe that enactment of the subject\nbill would be unwise, but it would be discriminatory and\nprecedential. If medical benefits are provided to veterans\nof service with the Czechoslovakian and Polish armed forces,\nit could be argued that equity would require the extension\nof such benefits to those who served with the armed forces\nof Bulgaria, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Romania,\nor Yugoslavia, as well as to veterans of other allied forces\nsuch as Russia, China, and most of the Latin American coun-\ntries, who are now United States citizens.\nAs a matter of policy it would be difficult to\nexplain to nations such as Canada, Great Britain, Australia,\nNew Zealand, and South Africa, why they should reimburse the\nVeterans Administration for medical treatment provided veterans\nwho served in their armed forces while we provide such services\nat no cost for veterans of other allied forces.\nAside from allied veterans, many other groups who\nhave served with, but not in, our own armed forces during war\nperiods have through the years sought to obtain benefits\nreserved to veterans of the military service. Applying the\npolicy of restricting benefits to those who had military\nservice, legislation to include these civilian groups has\ngenerally been rejected. If an exception were made for one\nor more classes of allied veterans, it might prove difficult\nto resist demands that similar provision should be made for a\nvariety of civilian groups who served closely with our armed\nforces or who did alternate service as conscientious objectors.\nIt is estimated that the enrolled enactment will\nresult in an annual cost to the Veterans Administration of\napproximately $1,170,000.\nWe are keenly aware that personnel of the allied\nforces encompassed by this bill displayed exceptional bravery\n3.\nand determination during two major wars. They served in many\ncases alongside our United States veterans with distinction\nand honor. Many gave their lives in these common endeavors.\nThey have greatly enriched our Nation through their contri-\nbutions since they have moved to this country. It is under-\nstandable that the Congress would wish to extend hospital\nand medical benefits to them. However, we still do not be-\nlieve that citizens, who are not veterans of service in the\narmed forces of the United States, should be provided medical care\nbenefits based purely on service with some other nation's\narmed forces rendered prior to becoming a citizen of this\ncountry.\nAccordingly, I recommend that the President with-\nhold his approval of H.R. 71. There is enclosed a proposed\nMemorandum of Disapproval.\nSincerely,\nRICHARD L. ROUDEBUSH\nAdministrator\nEnclosure\n4.\nMEMORANDUM OF DISAPPROVAL\nI am withholding my approval of H.R. 71, 94th Congress,\na bill to provide hospital and medical care to certain members of\nthe armed forces of nations allied or associated with the United\nStates in World War I or World War II.\nThe bill would amend section 109 of title 38, United\nStates Code, to extend to any person who served during World War\nI or World War II as a member of any armed force of the Govern-\nments of Czechoslovakia or Poland, and participated while so\nserving in armed conflict with an enemy of the United States, and\nhas been a citizen of the United States for at least ten years,\nentitlement to hospital care and medical services, and domiciliary\ncare under chapter 17 of title 38. It would also require an\nauthenticated certification from the French Ministry of Defense\nor the British War Office as to service in the Czechoslovakian\nor Polish armed forces and subsequent service in or with the\narmed forces of France or Great Britain during World War I or\nWorld War II.\nThe general policy of Congress, except as to those\nbenefits in section 109(b) of title 38, United States Code, has\nbeen to provide benefits solely for veterans who served in the\narmed forces of the United States and their dependents. The ex-\ntension of certain benefits (although provided on a reciprocal\nbasis in section 109(a)) to persons who served with governments\nallied with the United States, but who rendered no service in the\nUnited States Armed Forces, would be a departure from this policy.\nI not only believe that approval of this bill would be\nunwise, but it would be discriminatory and precedential. If\nmedical benefits are provided to veterans of service with the\nCzechoslovakian and Polish armed forces, it could be argued that\nequity would require the extension of such benefits to those who\nserved with the armed forces of Bulgaria, Estonia, Hungary,\nLatvia, Lithuania, Romania, or Yugoslavia, as well as to veterans\nof other allied forces such as Russia, China, and most of the Latin\nAmerican countries, who are now United States citizens.\nAs a matter of policy it would be difficult to explain\nto nations such as Canada, Great Britain, Australia, New Zealand,\nand South Africa, why they should reimburse the Veterans Adminis-\ntration for medical treatment provided veterans who served in\ntheir armed forces while we provide such services at no cost for\nveterans of other allied forces.\nAside from allied veterans, many other groups who have\nserved with, but not in, our own armed forces during war periods\nhave through the years sought to obtain benefits reserved to\nveterans of the military service. Applying the policy of restrict-\ning benefits to those who had military service, legislation to\ninclude these civilian groups has generally been rejected. If\nan exception were made for one or more classes of allied veterans,\nit might prove difficult to resist demands that similar provision\nshould be made for a variety of civilian groups who served closely\nwith our armed forces or who did alternate service as conscien-\ntious objectors.\nI am keenly aware that personnel of the allied forces\nencompassed by this bill displayed exceptional bravery and deter-\nmination during two major wars. They served in many cases along-\nside our United States veterans with distinction and honor. Many\ngave their lives in these common endeavors. They have greatly\nenriched our Nation through their contributions since they have\nmoved to this country. It is understandable that the Congress\nwould wish to extend hospital and medical benefits to them. How-\never, I still do not believe that citizens, who are not veterans\nof service in the armed forces of the United States, should be\nprovided medical care benefits based purely on service with some\nother nation's armed forces rendered prior to becoming a citizen\nof this country.\nFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE\nOCTOBER 14, 1976\nOFFICE OF THE WHITE HOUSE PRESS SECRETARY\nTHE WHITE HOUSE\nREMARKS OF THE PRESIDENT\nUPON SIGNING H. R. 71\nVETERANS MEDICAL CARE FOR CERTAIN\nMEMBERS OF ALLIED WARTIME FORCES\nTHE ROSE GARDEN\n11:57 A.M. EDT\nGood morning, everybody.\nIt is a great privilege and pleasure for me to\nwelcome the distinguished Members of Congress and repre-\nsentatives of various veterans organizations, ethnic\ngroups and the like. It is a great day here in the Rose\nGarden and good luck, and it is nice to see you all.\nBut I am especially pleased to have the\nopportunity to recognize the contributions of many\nvaliant Americans of Polish and Czech ancestry who\nfought for freedom.\nI think this legislation that I am signing\ntoday provides that any person who served during World\nWar I or World War II as a member of any armed force of\nthe Government of Czechoslovakia or Poland and participated\nwhile so serving in armed conflict with an enemy of the\nUnited States shall by virtue of such service be entitled\nto certain medical benefits. This legislation requires\nthat each person who is so entitled shall have been a\ncitizen of the United States for at least 10 years.\nFor two centuries a very fundamental principle\nof American policy toward other nations has remained\nunchanged. The American people support the aspirations\nfor freedom, independence and national self-determination\nof people everywhere. We do not accept foreign domination\nover any nation.\nThe people we recognize with this legislation\ntoday fought along side of us for these ideals. This year,\nas American citizens they joined with us in our Bicentennial\ncelebration. Their wartime service is an inspiration and\na lasting contribution to the strength of America and to\nAmerica's commitment to freedom.\nThank you very much.\nEND\n(AT 12:00 NOON EDT)\n94TH CONGRESS\nHOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES\nREPORT\n1st Session\nNo. 94-337\nMEDICAL CARE FOR CERTAIN MEMBERS OF ALLIED\nWARTIME FORCES\nJULY 9, 1975.-Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the State\nof the Union and ordered to be printed\nMr. ROBERTS, from the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, submitted\nthe following\nREPORT\n[To accompany H.R. 71]\nThe Committee on Veterans' Affairs, to whom was referred the bill\n(H.R. 71) to amend title 38, United States Code, to provide hospital\nand medical care to certain members of the armed forces of nations\nallied or associated with the United States in World War I or World\nWar II, having considered the same, report favorably thereon, by\nunanimous voice vote, without amendment, and recommend that\nthe bill do pass.\nINTRODUCTION\nH.R. 71 is identical to H.R. 13377, enacted by the House during\nthe last session of Congress. The bill would provide hospital and\nmedical care to certain members of the armed forces of the nations\nallied or associated with the United States in World War I or World\nWar II.\nHearings were held on H.R. 13377 during the 93rd Congress and\nthe bill was cosponsored by 46 Members of the House. On July 29,\n1974, the Committee reported H.R. 13377, and the bill passed the\nHouse on August 5, 1974. However, the Senate failed to act on the\nbill before sine die adjournment.\nPURPOSE OF THE BILL\nH.R. 71 provides that any person who served during World War I\nor World War II as a member of any armed force of the Governments\nof Czechoslovakia or Poland and participated while so serving in\narmed conflict with an enemy of the United States and has been a\ncitizen of the United States for at least ten years shall, by virtue of\n57-006\n2\n3\nsuch service, and upon satisfactory evidence thereof, be entitled to\nhospital and domiciliary care and medical services from the Veterans\nthat the provision requiring each applicant to furnish such an authen-\nAdministration to the same extent as if such service had been per-\nticated certification as to service \"would make the subject bill more\nformed in the Armed Forces of the United States. Such benefit is not\nadministratively feasible than similar purpose bills currently pending\nauthorized if the person concerned is otherwise entitled to payment\nbefore the Committee.\"\nfor equivalent care and services under a program established by the\nThe Committee has been informed that H.R. 71, and several identi-\nforeign government concerned for persons who served in its armed\ncal bills, now have a total of 109 cosponsors in the House of Repre-\nforces in World War I or World War II.\nsentatives.\nThe bill specifically provides that, in order to assist the Adminis-\nAt the mentioned hearings before a special subcommittee in the\ntrator in making a determination of proper service eligibility \"each\n93rd Congress testimony and statements were received from a number\napplicant for the benéfits thereof shall furnish an authenticated\nof Members of Congress and veterans' organizations in support of\ncertification from the French Ministry of Defense or the British War\nthe proposal. In support of his bill, the Honorable Frank Annunzio\nOffice as to records in either such Office which clearly indicate military\nstated in part:\nservice of the applicant in the Czechoslovakian or Polish armed forces\nand subsequent service in or with the armed forces of France or Great\nIn addition, under existing law, the U.S. government pres-\nBritain during the period of World War I or World War II.\"\nently pays for medical and hospital benefits given to persons\nwho served in the Armed Forces of the Philippines during\nBACKGROUND OF THE BILL\nWorld War II, even if such persons are not American citizens.\nMy bill would extend these benefits to those naturalized\nDuring World War I and World War II many citizens of countries\nU.S. citizens who fought bravely and sacrificed for the ideals\nin Central Europe fought with great courage in alliance with and\nof freedom and justice for which this country also fought.\nagainst the foes of the United States and its major allies. After the\nDuring the Second World War, many citizens of Bulgaria,\nwar there was a change of government in these countries, particularly\nCzechoslovakia, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Po-\nin Poland and Czechoslovakia which deprived many individuals the\nland, Rumania, and Yugoslavia fought with great courage\nfreedom for which they so valiantly had struggled. Consequently, these\nagainst the foes of the United States. After the war, there was\nmen immigrated to the United Státes and became citizens in search of\na change in government in each of these countries, which de-\nthe bind of life they could no longer lead in their own countries and\nprived many of these Eastern Europeans the freedom for\nhave subsequently greatly enriched our Nation economically and\nwhich they so valiantly had struggled. Consequently, these\nmorally. However, because they are not technically veterans of the\nmen immigrated to the United States and became citizens,\nArmed Forces of the United States and at the same time have no\nin search of the kind of life they could no longer lead in their\nrecourse to veterans'. benefits in their Communist controlled home-\nown countries. These men have greatly enriched our nation\nlands, many of them have no way to turn to secure needed medical\nthrough hard work. My bill recognizes the important con-\nand hospital care and attention.\ntribution made by these veterans to the Allied war effort,\nFor a number of years the veterans' laws codified in title 38, United\nand grants them the same medical benefits which we have\nStates Code, have authorized certain veterans' benefits on the basis of\ngranted to many noncitizens of the Philippines.\n\"reciprocal services\" upon request of the proper officials of the govern-\nMr. Chairman, I strongly urge that this Committee take\nment of any nation allied or associated with the United States in\nfavorable action on my bill, H.R. 272. It is imperative that\nWorld War I or in World War II. As indicated however, in view of the\nwe extend these limited benefits to those men who fought SO\nchange in government control in certain of the foreign nations,\nvaliantly and heroically along with our American boys and\nrecourse to the reciprocal services authority is not available.\nallied forces during the two World Wars to preserve freedom.\nPredecessor bills in recent years have attempted to extend similar\nThese men need our help now.\nbenefits to members of the armed forces of other Central European\nThe Committee was also impressed with the favorable support of\ncountries, but in view of the basic almost insurmountable problem of\nadequately authenticating the appropriate military service contem-\nobservations: Senator Adlai E. Stevenson III who made the following significant\nplated by the predecessor bills, the present bill, H.R. 71, has been\nlimited to former servicemen of Poland and Czechoslovakia.\nThe people who would benefit from adoption of this\nFollowing hearings on this general legislative proposal during the\nlegislation fought valiantly on the allied side only to find, at\nlast Congress and subsequent meetings with the chief congressional\nthe conclusion of the war, that the newly established govern-\nsponsor and representatives of the groups concerned, the Committee\nments in their own countries foreclosed the individual free-\nhas been assured that in most, if not all, of the meritorious cases it\ndoms for which they had fought.\nwill be possible to secure appropriate service certifications from either\nRather than accept the restrictions imposed on the\nthe British War Office or the French Ministry of Defense. In this\nindividual by their governments, they emigrated by the\nconnection, the Committee has noted that in its report on this pro-\nhundreds of thousands to the United States where they\nposal during the last Congress the Veterans' Administration recognized\ncould live with full and rightful dignity.\nThese Americans have given much to our Nation, from\ntheir contributions to our economic life to their spirited\n4\n5\nexample of individuals determined that freedom is the most\nprecious possession of any people. But because of a gap\nwar veterans of the U.S. armed forces. It provides that those who\nin our laws, they have been denied the right to full first-class\nserved as members of the armed forces of Poland in either World\ncitizenship; they are ineligible to receive any of the benefits\nWar and have now been citizens of the United States for at least ten\navailable to veterans of the United States Armed Forces. It\nyears be covered by this bill.\nis time for the American Government to right this injustice.\nSEIU Local 25 has particular interest in this legislation, as many\nIt is time for us to recognize the rights of all American\nof its members are of Polish descent. We, the SEIU International\nfreedom. citizens who suffered the same agonies of war for peace and\nExecutive Board, therefore heartily endorse Congressman Annunzio's\nbill, H.R. 13377. We also urge the Committee on Veterans Affairs of\nAt the time that I introduced companion legislation in\nthe House of Representatives to report this bill for action by the full\nthe Senate, I wrote to veterans group leaders and to many\nHouse.\nveterans in my State asking for their views on, and their\nOVERSIGHT FINDINGS\nsupport for this legislation. The response was overwhelmingly\npositive and enthusiastic. The Executive Committee of the\nPursuant to clause 2(1) (3) of Rule XI of the Rules of the House\nCombined Veterans of Illinois notified me of their full\nof Representatives, the Committee issues the following oversight\napproval and endorsement of the measure. Eloquent letters\nfindings:\ncame in bundles from supporters of the legislation; one man\nDuring the first session of the 93rd Congress, hearings were held\nwrote: \"The Constitution of the United States of America\nbefore a special subcommittee. Testimony and statements were\nis the same for everybody as American citizens.\"\nreceived from a number of Members of Congress and veterans' organi-\nI can only add my hearty agreement and hope that the\nzations in support of the proposed legislation. During the hearings and\nUnited States finally recognizes the contributions and\nin subsequent meetings with the chief congressional sponsor and\nrights of those citizens who fought with us in the First and\nrepresentatives of the groups concerned, the Committee has been\nSecond World Wars only to be deprived of their homes and\nassured that in most, if not all, of the meritorious cases it will be possible\ntheir freedom by political forces beyond their control.\nto secure appropriate service certification. Authenticating the appro-\nSupport for this legislation has been received from the Committee on\npriate military service has always created major problems in attempt-\nPolitical Education of the Service Employees International Union.\ning to extend similar benefits to members of the armed forces of other\nOn June 28, 1974, the Committee received a letter from Union Presi-\nCentral European countries.\ndent George Hardy in support of the bill passed by the House last\nThe Committee concluded that the few who would benefit under\nyear (H.R. 13377). He said:\nthis bill fought valiantly on the allied side; however, at the conclusion\nof the war, the newly established governments in their own countries,\nThe membership of Service Employees International\nparticularly Poland and Czechoslovakia, deprived them of the freedom\nUnion, AFL-CIO is particularly pleased that you have\nfor which they had fought SO long to attain. Although they have long\nseen fit to hold hearings on H.R. 13377, a bill to provide\nsince been citizens of this country, and have subsequently greatly\nhospital and medical care to certain members of the armed\nenriched our Nation, technically they are not veterans of the Armed\nforces of Poland who served during World War I or II. Now\nForces of the United States and are therefore ineligible for veterans'\nthat the hearings are completed, we sincerely hope that you\nmedical benefits. The Committee recognizes the important contribu-\nwill report out that bill for action by the House of\ntion made by these veterans to the Allied war effort and recommends\nRepresentatives.\nthat the limited benefits provided for in this bill be extended to\nI am attaching a copy of a resolution passed on Friday,\nthese veterans.\nJune 21, by the SEIU International Executive Board. We\nIn regard to clause 2(1) (3) (D) of Rule XI, no oversight findings have\nhope that you will take swift action as a result of this\nbeen submitted to the Committee by the Committee on Government\nresolution.\nOperations\nIn regard to clause 2(1) (3) (C) of Rule XI, no cost estimate or com-\nRESOLUTION OF THE INTERNATIONAL EXECUTIVE BOARD OF SERVICE\nparison has been submitted by the Congressional Budget Office\nEMPLOYEES INTERNATIONAL UNION, AFL-CIO/CLO ON POLISH\nrelative to the provisions of H.R. 71.\nWAR VETERANS' BENEFITS, ADOPTED JUNE 21, 1974\nINFLATIONARY IMPACT STATEMENT\nLegislation to provide hospital and medical care to members of\narmed forces of nations allied or associated with the U.S. in World\nWith respect to clause 2(1) (4) of Rule XI, relating to the inflationary\nWar I and World War II has been introduced in the Congress for ten\nimpact of the reported bill, the Committee is of the opinion the limited\nyears. No action was ever taken until this Congress.\nbenefits provided in this bill would not be inflationary. Although the\nThis legislation gives the recognition of a grateful nation to these\nVeterans' Administration advises the Committee that it is not possible\nmen of bravery in the allied war effort by providing that they be\nto estimate the cost of H.R. 71 since information is not available as\neligible for VA hospital and medical benefits on the same terms as.\nto how many individuals may qualify for benefits, the Committee\nfeels the number of potential beneficiaries is relatively small.\n6\n7\nESTIMATE OF COST\nUnder each bill, benefits would not be available to a person who is\nThe Veterans' Administration advises the Committee that it is not\nentitled to payment for equivalent care and services under a' program\npossible to estimate the cost of H.R. 71 should it be enacted since in-\nestablished by such foreign government for persons who served in its\nformation is not available as to how many individuals may qualify\narmed forces during World War I or World War II.\nfor benefits. As a result of the testimony received at the hearings and\nSection 109(a)(1) of title 38 currently authorizes the Administra-\nfrom other sources, the Committee is of the view that the number of\ntor, in consideration of reciprocal services extended to the United\npotential beneficiaries is relatively small, and in context with the ex-\nStates and upon a reimbursable basis, to furnish hospital care, medical\npenditures for the overall broad veterans' programs, the actual cost\nservices, and education, training or similar benefits to discharged\nof this legislation would be insignificant.\nmembers of the armed forces of the government of any nation allied,\nor associated, with the United States in World War I (except a nation\nAGENCY REPORT\nwhich was an enemy of the United States in World War II), or World\nWar II, if such benefits are authorized by such government for its\nThere follows the report of the Administrator of Veterans' Affairs\nveterans. Section 109(b) provides that persons who served in the\non H.R. 71, dated July 8, 1975.\nactive service in the armed forces of any government allied with the\nUnited States in World War II, and who at the time of entrance into\nVETERANS ADMINISTRATION,\nsuch service were citizens of the United States, are, if otherwise\nOFFICE OF THE ADMINISTRATOR OF VETERANS AFFAIRS,\nqualified, entitled to the benefits of chapters 31 and 37 of title 38 in\nWashington, D.C., July 8, 1975.\nthe same manner and to the same extent as U.S. veterans of World\nHon. RAY ROBERTS,\nWar II, provided he is a resident at the time of filing a claim, and has\nChairman, Committee on Veterans' Affairs, House of Representatives,\nnot received similar benefits from the nation in whose armed forces he\nWashington, D.C.\nserved.\nDEAR MR. CHAIRMAN: This will respond to your request for a report\nThe proposals under consideration go much further than the pro-\nby the Veterans Administration on H.R. 71, H.R. 72, H.R. 2642, and\nvisions for temporary World War II readjustment benefits. They\nH.R. 2643, identical 94th Congress bills, \"To amend title 38, United\nwould include many persons who were not citizens when they served\nStates Code, to provide hospital and medical care to certain members\nand would provide basic hospital and medical benefits under our\nof the armed forces of nations allied or associated with the United\ncontinuing program. While the need for medical benefits might appear\nStates in World War I or World War II.\"\nto be most urgent, the granting of this relief would doubtless be\nEach of the subject bills would amend section 109 of title 38, United\nfollowed by demands for other continuing benefits, such as compensa-\nStates Code, to extend to any person who served during World War I\ntion and pension.\nor World War II as a member of any armed force of the Governments\nThe general policy of Congress, except as to those benefits in section\nof Czechoslovakia or Poland, and participated while so serving in\n109(b) of title 38, United States Code, has been to provide benefits\narmed conflict with an enemy of the United States, and has been a\nsolely for veterans who served in the armed forces of the United States\ncitizen of the United States for at least ten years, entitlement to hos-\nand their dependents. The extension of certain benefits (although\npital care and medical services, and domiciliary care under chapter\nprovided on a reciprocal basis in section 109(a)) to persons who served\n17 of title 38.\nwith governments allied with the United States, but who rendered\nThere is some confusion between the eligibility provisions of these\nno service in the United States Armed Forces, would be a departure\nbills and proposed paragraph (2) of the new subsection (c), which pro-\nfrom this policy.\nvides that in order to assist the Administrator in making a determination\nWe not only believe that enactment of legislation in the form of any\nof proper service eligibility, each applicant shall furnish an authen-\nof the bills pending before you on this subject would be unwise, but\nticated certification from the French Ministry of Defense or the British\nit would be discriminatory and precedential. If medical benefits are\nWar Office as to records in either office which clearly indicate military\nprovided to veterans of service with the Czechoslovakian and Polish\nservice of the applicant and subsequent service in or with the armed\narmed forces, it could be argued that equity would require the exten-\nforces of France or Great Britain during the period of World War I or\nsion of such benefits to those who served with the armed forces of\nWorld War II.\nBulgaria, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Romania, or Yugo-\nThe eligibility provision in subsection (c) (1) does not require sub-\nslavia, as well as to veterans of other allied forces such as Russia,\nsequent service in or with the armed forces of France or Great Britain.\nChina, and most of the Latin American countries, who are now\nMoreover, since each bill would require the Veterans Administration\nUnited States citizens.\nto furnish care to persons made eligible on the same basis as if service\nAs a matter of policy it would be difficult to explain to nations such\nhad been performed in the armed forces of the United States, it would\nas Canada, Great Britain, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa,\nappear to present an almost impossible task for VA hospital personnel\nwhy they should reimburse the Veterans Administration for medical\nto determine the extent of the VA medical care which can be provided,\ntreatment provided veterans who served in their armed forces while\nas well as determining whether the individual has a service-incurred\nwe provide such services at no cost for veterans of other allied forces.\ndisability. If the Committee is to give this legislation further consider-\nation, we believe that these provisions should be clarified.\n8\n9\nwith, but not in, our own armed forces during war periods served have\nAside from allied veterans, many other groups who have\nAdministrator may also pay the court costs and other expenses inci-\ndent to the proceedings taken for the commitment of such discharged\nwho military service. Applying the policy of restricting benefits to those of\nthe through the years sought to obtain benefits reserved to veterans\nmembers who are mentally incompetent to institutions for the care\nor treatment of the insane.\nhas had military service, legislation to include these civilian\n(2) The Administrator, in carrying out the provisions of this sub-\nclasses generally been rejected. If an exception were made for groups\nsection, may contract for necessary services in private, State, and\nthat of allied veterans, it might prove difficult to resist one demands or more\nother Government hospitals.\nwho similar provision should be made for a variety of civilian\n(3) All amounts received by the Veterans' Administration as reim-\nserved closely with our armed forces or who did alternate service groups\nbursement for such services shall be credited to the current appropria-\nas conscientious abjectors.\ntion of the Veterans' Administration from which expenditures were\nThe President has called for the development of plans for a\nmade under this subsection.\nof that policy, we do not believe that citizens, who are not veterans\nwith hensive national health insurance system for all Americans. Consonant compre-\n(b) Persons who served in the active service in the armed forces of\nany government allied with the United States in World War II and\nVA service in the armed forces of the United States, should be\nwho at time of entrance into such active service were citizens of the\nmedical care benefits based purely on service with some provided other\nUnited States shall, by virtue of such service, and if otherwise quali-\ncountry. nation's armed forces rendered prior to becoming a citizen of this\nfied, be entitled to the benefits of chapters 31 and 37 of this title in the\nsame manner and to the same extent as veterans of World War II are\nIt Accordingly, we oppose the enactment of any of the subject bills.\nentitled. No such benefit shall be extended to any person who is not\nfor since benefits. we have no information as to how many individuals may qualify\nis not possible to estimate the cost of any of the subject bills,\na resident of the United States at the time of filing claim, or to any\nperson who has applied for and received the same or any similar\nbenefit from the government in whose armed forces he served.\nis of no the objection to the presentation of this report from the standpoint\nWe are advised by the Office of Management and Budget that there\n(c) (1) Any person who served during World War I or World War II as\na member of any armed force of the Governments of Czechoslovakia or\nAdministration's Sincerely, program.\nPoland and participated while so serving in armed conflict with an enemy\nof the United States and has been a citizen of the United States for at least\nRICHARD L. ROUDEBUSH,\nten years shall, by virtue of such service, and upon satisfactory evidence\nthereof, be entitled to hospital and domiciliary care and medical services\nAdministrator.\nwithin the United States under chapter 17 of this title to the same extent as\nCHANGES IN EXISTING LAW MADE BY H.R. 71, AS REPORTED\nif such service had been performed in the Armed Forces of the United\nStates unless such person is entitled to, or would, upon application\nIn compliance with clause 3 of rule XIII of the Rules of the House\nthereof, be entitled to, payment for equivalent care and services under a\nlaw reported, in are shown as follows (new matter is printed in italics, existing as\nof Representatives, changes in existing law made by the bill,\nprogram established by the foreign government concerned for persons who\nserved in its armed forces in World War I or World War II.\nwhich no change is proposed is shown in roman);\n(2) In order to assist the Administrator in making a determination of\nproper service eligibility under this subsection, each applicant for the\nSECTION 109 OF TITLE 38, UNITED STATES CODE\nbenefits thereof shall furnish an authenticated certification from the French\nMinistry of Defense or the British War Office as to records in either such\nSEC. 109. BENEFITS FOR DISCHARGED MEMBERS OF ALLIED FORCES\nOffice which clearly indicate military service of the applicant in the Czecho-\nslovakian or Polish armed forces and subsequent service in or with the\n(a) (1) In consideration of reciprocal services extended to the\narmed forces of France or Great Britain during the period of World War I\nUnited States, the Administrator, upon request of the proper officials\nor World War II.\nStates in World War I (except any nation which was an of the\nof the government of any nation allied or associated with the United\nUnited States during World War II), or in World War enemy II, fur-\nincurred, at such rates and under such regulations as the Administra- so\nunder agreements requiring reimbursement in cash of expenses\nnish to discharged members of the armed forces of such government, may\ntion may prescribe, medical, surgical, and dental treatment, hospital\neducation, training, or similar benefits authorized by the laws of such\ncare, transportation and traveling expenses, prosthetic appliances,\nbe afforded under this section, except in emergencies, unless there\nfits. Hospitalization in a Veterans' Administration facility shall not\nnation for its veterans, and services required in extending such bene-\navailable beds surplus to the needs of veterans of this country. The are\nCORRECTED SHEET\nH. R. 71\nAinety-fourth Congress of the United States of America\nAT THE SECOND SESSION\nBegun and held at the City of Washington on Monday, the nineteenth day of January,\none thousand nine hundred and seventy-six\nAn Act\nTo amend title 38, United States Code, to provide hospital and medical care to\ncertain members of the armed forces of nations allied or associated with the\nUnited States in World War I or World War II.\nBe it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the\nUnited States of America in Congress assembled, That section 109\nof title 38, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end\nthereof the following:\n\"(c) (1) Any person who served during World War I or World\nWar II as a member of any armed force of the Government of Czech-\noslovakia or Poland and participated while SO serving in armed con-\nflict with an enemy of the United States and has been a citizen of the\nUnited States for at least ten years shall, by virtue of such service, and\nupon satisfactory evidence thereof, be entitled to hospital and dom-\niciliary care and medical services within the United States under\nchapter 17 of this title to the same extent as if such service had been\nperformed in the Armed Forces of the United States unless such\nperson is entitled to, or would, upon application thereof, be entitled\nto, payment for equivalent care and services under a program estab-\nlished by the foreign government concerned for persons who served\nin its armed forces in World War I or World War II.\n\"(2) In order to assist the Administrator in making a determina-\ntion of proper service eligibility under this subsection, each appli-\ncant for the benefits thereof shall furnish an authenticated certification\nfrom the French Ministry of Defense or the British War Office as to\nrecords in either such Office which clearly indicate military service\nof the applicant in the Czechoslovakian or Polish armed forces and\nsubsequent service in or with the armed forces of France or Great\nBritain during the period of World War I or World War II.\".\nSpeaker of the House of Representatives.\nVice President of the United States and\nPresident of the Senate."
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