Builds on Historic VA Budget Increases since 2007 & Opens VA to Middle Income Vets
(Washington D.C.) U.S. Representative Chet Edwards today heard testimony from Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric Shinseki on the Administrations fiscal year 2010 budget plan for veterans. The Administration is requesting $53 billion for the VA an 11 increase over the previous year or $5.4 billion.
Edwards Chairman of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Military Construction and Veterans Affairs said With this budget the Administration is honoring the service and sacrifice of Americas veterans by requesting the largest VA budget increase ever requested" said Edwards. Building on the historic VA budget increases passed by this committee and the previous Congress this budget will mean more doctors shorter waiting times and better care for the 6 million veterans using VA health care. It means that the doors of our VA hospitals will be re-opened to hundreds of thousands of middle-income veterans who honorably served their country but were denied VA care."
In 2009 Congress appropriated funds to begin a gradual expansion of health care eligibility for middle income veterans known as Priority 8 Veterans. Shinseki testified that the Presidents Budget includes funds to expand eligibility to this group for the first time since 2003. This year the VA estimates that will open enrollment to 266000 Priority 8 Veterans.
In prepared testimony before Edwards committee Shinseki stressed that the goal of the budget is to transform VA into a 21st Century organization that is veteran-centric results-driven and forward-looking. VAs commitment does not end at building a world-class 21st Century Veterans healthcare and benefits organization. We also have an obligation to ensure that America never forgets their sacrifices. The 2010 Budget assures that the legacy of honoring our veterans continues."
Edwards committee is expected to pass the Fiscal Year 2010 VA Appropriations bill by early summer with a House floor vote possible by August.
