Sanders Joins VT Veterans to Discuss Critical Funding Shortage for Veterans Health Care

Sanders Joins VT Veterans to Discuss Critical Funding Shortage for Veterans Health Care
7/25/2005

Burlington, VT-Today, Congressman Bernie Sanders held a press conference with members of the American Legion and the Vermont VFW to discuss the critical shortage for veterans' health care. The press conference followed a recent announcement from Veterans Affairs that the Administration was $1 billion short of the money needed to treat returning Iraq and Afghanistan veterans.

Sanders said, "It is the duty and responsibility of our leaders to keep the promises they have made to those who donned the uniform of our country - including the 58,000 veterans who live in our own state of Vermont. Sadly, that is not happening. The reality is that despite the fact that we have men and women serving in harm's way, veterans' health program are woefully underfunded and this shameful situation is likely to get worse."

On multiple occasions over the past years, Sanders supported efforts -- that were opposed by the President and Republican leadership -- to provide additional funding for the VA health care. As a result of this lack of support from the Republican leadership, the VA recently announced that its budget was suffering a from a stated $1 billion shortfall. In response to this shortage, the House voted to provide $975 million and the Senate voted to provide $1.5 million. Sanders supports the funding offered in the Senate version.

After announcing the $1 billion short fall in June, the Administration then admitted that this number was too low and asked for an additional $300 million on top of that. To make matters worse, the Republican leaders have not produced a final bill for the President's signature even though almost a month has passed since the Administration stated the VA didn't have the money it needs.

Sanders said, "Veterans should not have to wait one more day for the extra funding they need and deserve for health care. The House should act quickly to accept the Senate's $1.5 billion amount and move the bill to the President."

In addition to the shortfall this year, the Administration has also admitted that they expect that next year's budget will be $1.7 billion short. And this number is only accurate if Congress adopts Bush Administration proposals that would impose new $250 annual enrollment fees for some veterans as well as increases in the co-payment veterans pay for medicines. In the past, Sanders has worked with veterans groups to stop these fees. Without the imposition of these outrageous fees, the shortfall is likely to reach $2.5 billion.

Sanders said, "Balancing the budget on the backs of veterans at a time when hundreds of billions of dollars are being given away to the wealthiest Americans in tax breaks is simply unacceptable. I intend to continue fighting in Washington side by side with the veterans' organizations, and with members of Congress who truly care about veterans and their families. The American people do not want our veterans treated in the shabby way that this Administration is treating them."

http://bernie.house.gov/documents/releases/20050725173518.asp