IN CARE OF
EX-SOLDIERS OF THE FORMER ALLIED COUNTRIES.
Mr. Chairman, Ladies and Gentlemen:
As I note that the program upon which I have been placed refers to foreign relations of the U.S. Veterans’ Bureau in care of ex-soldiers of the formed-allied countries, with your permission I will add to that, the care of U.S. ex-service men in foreign countries. The care of U.S. ex-service men in this country has been discussed from every angle, and it would seem proper that we should also refer to his care in foreign countries from a medical standpoint, as well as to the care of the allied ex-service man in this country.
THE LAW PROVIDING FOR THE CARE OF U.S. EX-SERVICE MEN IN FOREIGN COUNTRIES
As act of Congress, Public 104, Sixty-sixth Congress, approved December 24, 1919, provides that the Bureau of War Risk Insurance, now the Veterans’ Bureau, is authorized, to furnish transportation, also medical, surgical, and hospital services to discharged members of the military or naval forces of those Governments which have been associated in war with the United States since April 6, 1917, and come within the provisions of laws of such Governments similar to the War Risk Insurance Act, at such rates and under such regulations as the Director of the Bureau of War Risk Insurance may prescribe, etc.
AUTHORIZATION FOR SERVICE
You will note that this provision of the law stipulates at such rates and under such regulations as the Director of the Bureau of War Risk Insurance may prescribe. The regulation that has been issued by the Director of the U.S. Veterans’ Bureau provides that in all cases where application for treatment is made by ex-members of the military or naval forces of the allies, such treatment will be furnished only on the specific authorization of the Director of the U.S. Veterans’ Bureau upon authority obtained from the Government concerned, to incur the expense of treatment in each case. When treatment is so authorized, the same procedure is to be followed as in cases of application made by ex-members of the Canadian forces, which is as follows:
RECIPROCAL AGREEMENT WITH CANADA:
An agreement entered into between the Canadian and this Government upon reciprocal lines provides that when an honorably discharged member of the military or naval forces of the Allies, resident in the United States or its territorial possessions, requires medical or surgical treatment for a disability contracted in, due to, or increased by his military or naval service, he shall apply to the nearest medical representative of the U.S. Veterans’ Bureau. If such representative is not available, information regarding the address of the nearest medical representative of the U.S. Veterans’ Bureau may be secured through any local representative of the American Red Cross, the American Legion, the Y.M.C.A., the Salvation Army, the Knights of Columbus, or other volunteer agency.