71st OREGON LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY--2001 Regular Session
Enrolled
House Joint Memorial 34
Sponsored by Representatives BACKLUND, CARLSON; Representatives
DOYLE, WINTERS
To the Senate and the House of Representatives of the United
States of America, in Congress assembled:
We, your memorialists, the Seventy-first Legislative Assembly
of the State of Oregon, in legislative session assembled,
respectfully represent as follows:
Whereas Oregon has one of the nation's highest number of
veterans per capita; and
Whereas approximately 356,000 veterans reside in Oregon; and
Whereas approximately 243,000 veterans and their families in
the Pacific Northwest rely on TRICARE for their medical benefits
and health care services; and
Whereas veterans were assured the provision of lifetime medical
benefits for health care services to compensate them in part for
their military service; and
Whereas the federal TRICARE program was created to provide
lifetime medical benefits for health care services for military
veterans; and
Whereas health care service providers participating in the
TRICARE program have not received prompt payment for their
services and have experienced time-consuming claims processing
procedures, causing providers to withdraw from the TRICARE
program in communities around Oregon, including Salem, Keizer and
surrounding areas; and
Whereas many veterans in Oregon reside a great distance from
the nearest U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs health care
facility and face the burdensome problem of having to travel long
hours to receive health care at a Department of Veterans Affairs
health care facility; and
Whereas access is a part of quality health care and veterans in
Oregon deserve quality health care; now, therefore,
Be It Resolved by the Legislative Assembly of the State of
Oregon:
(1) The Congress of the United States is respectfully urged to
introduce and pass legislation providing accessible and prompt
health care to veterans in Oregon and timely payment to health
care providers participating in the TRICARE program, and allowing
veterans who are eligible for Medicare to participate in the
federal employees health benefit program on the same terms and
conditions as federal employees.
(2) A copy of this memorial shall be sent to the Senate
Majority Leader, the Speaker of the House of Representatives and
each member of the Oregon Congressional Delegation.
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Enrolled House Joint Memorial 34 (HJM 34-INTRO) Page 1
Adopted by House May 3, 2001
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Chief Clerk of House
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Speaker of House
Adopted by Senate May 22, 2001
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President of Senate
Enrolled House Joint Memorial 34 (HJM 34-INTRO) Page 2