OTTAWA, ON, February 27, 2002 - The National Council of Veteran Associations (NCVA) today issued a statement expressing appreciation for the demand in Motion M-466 by Roy Bailey, Alliance Opposition Critic for Veterans.

Cliff Chadderton, Chairman of the 41-member group, stated that: "Notwithstanding the intent to amend Veterans Regulations to provide long-term care hospital treatment for military personnel who served in special duty areas outside of Canada, the perception might be unclear in that medical treatment for pensioned conditions for this group is already provided in Veterans Affairs legislation."

If the veteran requires treatment in regard to a disability for which a pension has been granted, VAC will pay for hospitalization.

The provision which Mr. Bailey's motion seeks would affect only those veterans who require admission to a long-term care facility.

This type of care is available for veterans of the Second World War and Korea. There is, however, a long waiting list and it should be made clear that even if the Government changed the regulations, the chances of a peacetime veteran gaining admission to a long-term care institution under the auspices of DVA would present a problem due to the shortage of beds for veterans in this type of institution.