Senator Murray Works to Increase Veterans Budget by More Than $3 Billion

Press Release

Senator Murray Works to Increase Veterans Budget by More Than $3 Billion

Includes nearly $2 billion increase for veterans health care programs and sizable increase for gas mileage reimbursement for veterans traveling long distances for care

Senator Murray also includes language urging the VA to move forward on VA facilities in Walla Walla, NW Washington, and South Puget Sound

Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) helped pass legislation through the full Senate Appropriations Committee that provides nearly $95 billion for the VA. The funding, which is included in the Senate fiscal year 2009 Military Construction and Veterans Affairs funding bill, is $3.29 billion more than the President requested. The majority of the funding will go directly to health care services which will help cut wait-times and increase access to quality care and mental health services for our veterans. The bill must still be passed by the full Senate.

"The best way to improve care for our veterans is to make the VA more accessible - right now it is simply stretched too thin," Senator Murray said. "This bill provides the VA with the funding to increase access, decrease wait times and hire and train the quality professionals who treat the unique wounds of war."

Senator Murray also helped add funding to increase gas mileage reimbursements for veterans who have to travel long distances for care. The funding will increase reimbursements from 28.5 cents to 50.5 cents per mile.

"For too many veterans seeing a doctor means long drives. And as gas prices continue to soar, seeking care has become even more difficult for those who have already sacrificed so much," Senator Murray said. "No veteran should have to choose between filling up the tank and receiving the care they need. We need to increase the mileage reimbursement and increase care for our veterans."

The bill also expands access for Priority 8 veterans who have been prohibited from accessing the VA system since 2003, and improves access to care for rural areas through new clinics, mobile clinics, and telemedicine.

"Much of the additional funding we've included in this bill focuses squarely on breaking down barriers to VA care," said Senator Murray. "Whether it's giving veterans a realistic reimbursement for gas mileage or expanding service to underserved communities, this bill opens the doors of the VA to more veterans. As more veterans return home each day, we have to ensure that the VA is available to them no matter where they live, how far they have to drive, or how much money they make."

The additional funding included in today's bill includes:

* $350 million for the VA to increase the income eligibility threshold for Priority 8 veterans. Priority 8 veterans are those veterans with non-service-connected disabilities whose income is above a modest level that varies across the country. Since 2003, Priority 8 veterans who have tried to enroll in the VA health care system have been denied care.
* $250 million for a new rural health initiative to allow VA to expand initiatives such as telemedicine, mobile clinics, fee based care, and open new clinics in rural areas.
* $138 million for the VA to raise the mileage reimbursement rate from 28.5 cents to 50.5 cents per mile.

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