House Passes Trone Backed Amendment to Increase Funding for Fisher House, Serve Veterans and Families
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Hannah Muldavin, Hannah.Muldavin@mail.house.gov
House Passes Trone Backed Amendment to Increase Funding for Fisher House, Serve Veterans and Families
Bipartisan Amendment Added to Defense Bill Doubles Support for Fisher House
Washington, DC – Today, the House of Representatives approved a measure by Representatives David Trone (D-MD), Debbie Dingell (D-MI), Michael Turner (R-OH), Joe Neguse (D-CO), Jenniffer González-Colón (R-PR), Don Young (R-AK), Katie Porter (D-CA), and Peter Welch (D-VT) to double federal funding for the Fisher House Foundation, a nonprofit that provides free, temporary lodging near hospitals so military and veteran families can be close to their loved ones while they seek medical treatment. The amendment ensures $10 million in federal funding for Fisher House.
There are currently 76 Fisher Houses located on 24 military installations and 32 VA medical centers, two of which are located at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Montgomery County. The Fisher House Foundation builds new houses and assists in the coordination of support for the homes and donates these homes to the United States government.
“The brave men and women who serve in our military and their families deserve the best treatment and care in the world. They shouldn’t have to worry about whether their loved ones can be with them when they are in the hospital,” said Trone. “I am honored to have helped secure this federal funding to continue the partnership with Fisher House. It’s the least we can do to support those who have sacrificed so much for us.”
“No veteran who has served their country should have to face medical care or a hospital stay without the support of their loved ones by their side,” Dingell said. “Caring for the families of our service members and veterans must always be a top priority. Our bipartisan amendment doubles the funding for Fisher House so this important organization can continue their important work.”
“The Fisher House at the Dayton VA is invaluable to our community’s veterans and their families,” Turner said. “The Fisher House at the Dayton VA Campus has served nearly 200 families in a welcoming home environment since it opened last November, saving guests approximately $57,000 in lodging and transportation expenses. I am proud to support doubling the funding for the Fisher House program to deliver our veterans with high quality and compassionate care.”
“Fisher House fulfills a tremendous need to our selfless servicemembers and veterans who have protected and defended our nation,” said Neguse. “In times of medical need, these families deserve the ability to dedicate all of their energy to the healing process, and Fisher House provides the support they need to do so. This additional funding for the program will allow for more servicemembers, veterans and their families to benefit from the incredible work of Fisher House.”
“Our injured service members and veterans sacrificed on behalf of our nation, and it is a debt we will never fully be able to repay,” said Young. “Our recovering heroes deserve to have their loved ones by their side, but not every family can afford the immense expenses of the lodging arrangements required to be near their injured family member. The Fisher House Foundation has been instrumental in funding temporary lodging near medical facilities so that the families of injured service members can be with those they are helping to care for. I am proud to support Congresswoman Debbie Dingell’s amendment to double Federal funding for the Fisher House Foundation so that they may continue supporting those who put their lives on the line to protect us.”
“For Orange County veterans and military members seeking treatment, Fisher House is an invaluable resource that enables families to stay together while loved ones receive the treatment and care they need,” Porter said. “I’m proud to support this great organization and the families that depend upon it.”
“The cost of war includes the cost of supporting and caring for our veterans and their families,” said Welch. “When veterans need medical care it’s important for them to have their loved ones by their side. I am proud to support this bipartisan amendment that keeps veterans and their families together in tough times.”
Founded in 1990, Fisher House has served over 335,000 families, provided over eight million days of lodging and saved military families more than $407 million in out-of-pocket expenses. Fisher House has a four star (out of four) rating from Charity Navigator and an A+ rating from Charity Watch and has been awarded the Independent Charities Seal of Excellence.
Trone continues the strong support of Fisher House started by previous 6th District Representative John Delaney, who proposed increased funding for the nonprofit for four consecutive years while he was in office.
Congressman David Trone was elected to the House of Representatives in November 2018 to serve the 6th District of Maryland, which includes all or part of Montgomery, Frederick, Washington, Allegany, and Garrett Counties. Trone serves on the Education and Labor, Foreign Affairs, and Joint Economic Committees, where he is fighting to make progress on issues that matter to Marylanders, including the opioid epidemic, criminal justice reform, and funding for medical research.
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