posted on July 29, 2005 05:43:35 AM
VFW Terms President's VA Budget Proposal Harmful to Veterans
VFW Appeals to Congress for Relief
Washington, D.C., Feb. 2, 2004--"The president ignored veterans in the State of the Union Address and with today's release of his 2005 budget, it is further evident that veterans are no longer a priority with this administration," said the leader of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the U.S., expressing dismay at the disgraceful 1.8% increase in veterans' medical care funding. "We look to Congress to reject the president's inadequate proposal and to provide a budget that fully acknowledges the debt our nation owes its veterans."
VFW Commander-in-Chief Edward S. Banas Sr., of Voluntown, Conn., said that with only a $500 million increase in medical funding, the administration's budget falls $2.6 billion short of what the Independent Budget recommends is needed to fully meet the demands for quality veterans' health care. "This funding package is a disgrace and a sham," Banas said.
"This deplorable budget will do nothing to alleviate the many thousands of veterans who are waiting six months or more for basic health care appointments with VA. Instead, the budget seeks to drive veterans from the system by realigning funding, charging enrollment fees for access and more than doubling the prescription drug copayment. This is inexcusable, especially when no member of this administration or Congress would wait this long for their health care.
posted on July 29, 2005 06:25:19 AM
When the Soldiers Come Home…
President Bush did not use the word “veterans” a single time in his 2005 State of the Union. This should come as no surprise given that the last time he mentioned veterans in a SOTU was in 2002 – before we went to war. Since then, over 10,000 troops have come home wounded from Iraq, and now there are “painful” changes to staff rotations in Iraq due to a lack of new recruits. One would think that the president would have something encouraging to say to the men and women who have served our country.
The president’s inattention to veterans is more than just rhetorical; it’s having an impact.
Though the Veterans Administration’s enrolled population has grown 134 percent since 1996, appropriations have only risen 44 percent.
Because of this lack of funding, and with troops coming home injured from Iraq every week, the waiting lists are growing for medical services — leading to what seems to be the current strategy for saving money: hiding available veterans services from them.
Those who speak out on behalf of veterans suffer the consequences. At the opening of the new Congress, Rep. Christopher Smith (R-NJ) was removed by Republican leaders as chair of the House Veterans Affairs Committee for being too strong an advocate for veterans.
And things may get worse quickly. The Wall Street Journal reported last week that Defense Undersecretary for Personnel and Readiness David Chu says benefits for veterans have “gotten to the point where they are hurtful. They are taking away from the nation’s ability to defend itself.” (You decide: a tax cut in a time of war for the top 1 percent, or health care for those who serve the nation?)
