POW compensation could increase

VFW Magazine, June-July, 2003 by Tim Dyhouse

A bill to grant compensation for U.S. POWs was reintroduced in February. H.R. 850--the Former Prisoners of War Special Compensation Act--died when the 107th Congress did not vote on it last year.

Former POWs held 30 to 120 days would receive $150 per month; those held 121 to 540 days, $300 a month and those detained more than 540 days, $450.

A spokeswoman for the bill's sponsor, Rep. Mike Simpson (R-Idaho), said he was "open to changing the bill" to include POWs from the Iraq War, who were held just three weeks. VFW wants the 30-day time limit dropped. At press time, the House VA Subcommittee on Benefits was holding hearings.