Press Releases
House Passes Bipartisan Amendment to Increase Funding for Fisher HouseHouse Doubles Support for Fisher House Foundation Which Serves Veterans and Families
Washington,
July 31, 2020
WASHINGTON, DC – Today, the House of Representatives approved a measure by Representatives Debbie Dingell (D-MI), Michael Turner (R-OH), Joe Neguse (D-CO), Jenniffer González-Colón (R-PR), David Trone (D-MD), Don Young (R-AK), Katie Porter (D-CA), and Peter Welch (D-VT) to increase 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 bipartisan amendment doubles federal support for Fisher House, increasing funding from $5 million to $10 million. “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. “This spring, we opened the Ann Arbor Fisher House to give veterans and their families a home, but every veteran deserves this support. 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 across the country.” “In times of medical need, veterans and their families both need and deserve dedicated spaces that allow them to heal together,” said Neguse. “I’m honored to stand with Fisher House Foundation and our nation’s heroes by advocating for funding for the critical services provided in Fisher House homes. The additional funding secured for the program this year will allow for more servicemembers, veterans and their families to benefit from the incredible work of Fisher House.” "Our service members have sacrificed so much to protect our country. These brave men and women should never have to worry about whether their family can be with them when they are in the hospital," said Trone. "I am honored to have helped secure double the funding for Fisher House to ensure our service members can remain with their loved ones as they receive medical care." “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 have supported Congresswoman Debbie Dingell’s amendment to increase Federal funding for the Fisher House Foundation, and I am very grateful to my House colleagues for approving it.” “Veterans and military families have made incredible sacrifices for our country,” said Porter. “It is paramount that we provide our veterans with top-notch medical care, which includes taking steps to ensure they can have the support of their families and loved ones when seeking care. I’m proud that the House passed this bipartisan amendment to support the important work of the Fisher House Foundation.” “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 Foundation has served over 400,000 families, provided over ten million days of lodging and saved military families more than $500 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. There are currently 88 Fisher Houses located on 25 military installations and 39 VA medical centers. 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. ### |