The new bill will pay college and living expenses for soldiers,
military reservists and National Guard members who have served in the
military since September 11, 2001.
The new bill completely funds tuition and fees at a public university
or community college and includes $1,000 a year for books and a housing
allowance ranging from $1,200 to $2,500. Those benefits extend for 36
months for soldiers who served at least that long.
The new bill will pay colleges directly and provides a much greater
incentive for military personnel to pursue a higher education. Passage
and implementation of the bill is a start at recognizing the debt owed
to those who serve in the military.
As with medical care, higher education benefits must be extended to those who serve.
What needs to happen next, however, is a rescinding of the "don't ask,
don't tell" policy whereby gays and lesbians are only allowed to serve
if they keep their sexuality a secret.
Perhaps this week's announcement that President Obama is extending some
federal benefits to same-sex couples and domestic partners is a step in
the right direction. The president signed a memo that extends benefits
such as long-term-care insurance, sick leave to care for domestic
partners and non-biological or adopted children, the use of medical
facilities abroad for Foreign Service employees and others.
The memo stopped short of providing health insurance coverage for
domestic and same-sex partners. One can only hope that efforts to
create a national health care program will obviate the need for people
to rely on their partners and spouses for health care.
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