As Passed, the National Defense Authorization Act Includes Congressman Dave Loebsack's Military Pain Care Act

Yesterday evening, Congressman Dave Loebsack voted in support of a comprehensive plan to protect our troops in harm’s way, restore military readiness and provide servicemen and women with a much-needed pay raise. The National Defense Authorization Act, H.R. 5658, also included language from Congressman Loebsack’s Military Pain Care Act, H.R. 5465. These provisions will ensure all servicemembers access to proper pain care management by requiring the Department of Defense to implement a well-defined and comprehensive pain management program for all active servicemembers in the military health system.

"The safety, health, and wellbeing of every man and women serving in our nation’s military has been a top priority of mine since I began my service in Congress," said Loebsack. "I am proud to have worked with my collegues on the House Armed Services Committee to craft legislation that will ensure our troops get better health care, better pay, better protections, and the benefits they have earned."

Pain is the most common symptom in servicemembers returning from combat and is the leading cause of disability amongst our nation’s veterans. Today, roughly 47 percent of returning Iraq and Afghanistan veterans have reported pain-related problems and symptoms. Yet, the Department of Defense does not have a comprehensive, consistent, or adequate pain care program.

In response, Loebsack successfully included a critical provision in the National Defense Authorization Act during Committee mark-up that will tackle the deficiency of pain care in the military health care system. First, the Secretary of Defense will be required to develop a plan to implement a comprehensive pain care initiative that will ensure delivery and adequacy of care across programs and facilities. Second, the Secretary of Defense will be required to address the inclusion of comprehensive pain care services in Tricare.

Our service members are our most valuable national security asset. They and their families sacrifice every day. The legislation passed provides all service members a pay raise of 3.9 percent and extends the authority for the Defense Department to offer bonuses and incentive pay. The bill goes even further to support our troops and their families by prohibiting fee increases in Tricare and the Tricare pharmacy program, expanding available health care services, and improving family support for military families.

As a result of our continued presence in Iraq, Army readiness has dropped to unprecedented levels, and Army National Guard units have, on average, only 63 percent of their required equipment. And many stateside units, including those in Iowa’s National Guard, are not fully equipped and would not be considered ready if called upon to respond during a domestic emergency.

This legislation helps restore our nation’s military readiness by funding the Army’s and Marine Corps’ equipment reset requirements, authorizing nearly $2 billion for unfunded readiness initiatives including addressing additional equipment shortfalls, and authorizing $800 million to provide the National Guard and Reserve critically needed equipment. Additionally, it protects our troops in harm’s way by authorizing $2.6 billion for additional Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles, $947 million for additional Up-Armored Humvees, and $783 million for the continued procurement and enhancement of personal body armor.

Lastly, the National Defense Authorization Act includes contractor reforms and improves accountability, while also requiring the Iraqi government to pay more of its fair share of reconstruction costs and banning permanent bases in Iraq.

This legislation will next move to conference to be combined with the Senate version of the National Defense Authorization Act.