Benefits News

WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--“The spending blueprint lawmakers are expected to ratify this week is good news for our nation’s veterans,” said Disabled American Veterans National Commander Raymond E. Dempsey. “Not only does it provide a record increase for the Department of Veterans Affairs, it clears the way for much-needed legislation to ensure sufficient, timely and predictable funding for veterans health care.

The House-Senate conference agreement provides $53.4 billion in appropriations for the VA, 11.7 percent above the 2009 level. In addition to a $5.6 billion increase for vital veterans programs, it would allow Congress to fund veterans medical care one year in advance. So, in addition to funding the VA’s three medical care accounts in the fiscal year 2010 appropriations bill, Congress could also set the level of funding to become available at the start of the 2011 fiscal year.

Bipartisan legislation to provide advance appropriations for veterans health care, a top priority for the DAV, has been introduced in both the House and Senate. An important provision in the budget agreement removes a procedural barrier to its enactment.

The Veterans Health Care Budget Reform and Transparency Act (S. 423/H.R. 1610) would end funding delays that have plagued the VA when Congress has failed to pass appropriations bills on time. The legislation also would add needed transparency to the process as the Government Accountability Office would review and report on the VA’s annual budget request.

“This budget agreement signals that veterans are indeed a national priority,” said Commander Dempsey. “And enacting the Veterans Health Care Budget Reform and Transparency Act would ensure that veterans, particularly sick and disabled veterans, have access to quality and timely health care.”

The DAV and the eight other members of the Partnership for Veterans Health Care Budget Reform, along with a growing coalition of military and veterans groups, former VA officials and hospital directors, and an overwhelming majority of American voters, all support legislation to approve VA’s health care funding one year in advance.

The Partnership for Veterans Health Care Budget Reform, which worked closely with the bill sponsors in drafting the legislation, is comprised of AMVETS, Blinded Veterans Association, Disabled American Veterans, Jewish War Veterans, Military Order of the Purple Heart, Paralyzed Veterans of America, The American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars and Vietnam Veterans of America.

The 1.2 million-member Disabled American Veterans, a non-profit organization founded in 1920 and chartered by the U.S. Congress in 1932, represents this nation’s disabled veterans. It is dedicated to a single purpose: building better lives for our nation’s disabled veterans and their families. For more information, visit the organization’s Web site, www.dav.org.

SOURCE: Yahoo News - Yahoo News Press Release