[Gimpy]

It seems that President Bush has to slap veterans one more time before he leaves office.

Bush has proposed a FY 2009 VA budget that is $3.4 billion larger than the current budget.

The problem here is that the increase is calculated on the VA being able to collect $5.2 billion in additional deductibles and co-pays from veterans (like increasing the prescription co-pay from $8 to $15).

We know that Congress will consider this a "tax" on vets and vote it down.

So, Bush's VA budget is actually $1.8 billion smaller than the current budget.

So much for supporting veterans. And, so much for supporting the troops who will soon be veterans. This is disgusting!

BOHICA !!!

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February 5, 2008

No New Taxes for America’s Veterans!


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact Kristal DeKleer at (202) 225-9756

Washington, D.C. – House Veterans’ Affairs Committee Chairman Bob Filner (D-CA) provided the following statement on the Administration’s 2009 Budget Request for the Department of Veterans Affairs:

“The request for veterans’ funding for 2009 is not adequate. Although the request includes an increase for health care, it does not fully fund the needs of America’s veterans. I am concerned that this budget proposal contains cuts to veterans’ programs. Further, this Administration once again proposed increasing fees and co-payments by $5.2 billion, which I reject as nothing more than a tax increase on our veterans.


“I look forward to discussing the details of this budget request at the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs hearing this Thursday.”

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The VFW ain't so happy with this latest Bush proposal either!


Press release below:
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FY09 VA Budget Proposal; VFW Calls on Congress To Improve It


WASHINGTON, Feb. 4, 2008--The national commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the U.S. is calling the president’s budget proposal for the Department of Veterans Affairs a good start, and is now asking Congress to improve upon the funding and policy package. He is also urging Congress to make sure that the VA receives its funding before the government's new fiscal year begins on Oct. 1.


"Overall, we are somewhat pleased with the recommended $1.7 billion increase in discretionary funding," said George Lisicki, a Vietnam combat veteran from Carteret, N.J. "However, we point to serious funding shortfalls in critical areas such as medical research and construction, and will work with Congress to see that these programs are fully funded so that no veteran is denied service."

Under this budget package funding for major and minor construction covering everything from veterans' hospitals to regional offices would be cut almost in half.

In addition, research funding for the signature wounds from the war – such as Traumatic Brain Injuries and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder – and research for prosthetics, burn treatment, blind rehabilitation, and other vital areas would be reduced by $38 million.

Lisicki said the VFW demands that funding for these programs be fully and expeditiously increased to reflect the true costs of war, and the nation's obligation to her defenders in their time of need.


The VFW also vehemently opposes a recommendation for separate legislation to create annual enrollment fees – ranging from $250 to $750 – for nonservice-connected disabled veterans in Categories 7 and 8, and to increase their pharmacy copayment fees from $8 to $15 per 30-day supply per prescription. Lisicki said this would place an intolerable burden on many veterans in need of care, some of whom would be unable to afford the fee increases.


"Our nation is at war and the VA is a valuable partner in that fight," said Lisicki, who leads the largest organization of war veterans in the country. "The administration's proposal is not adequate enough; now it is the responsibility of Congress to ensure the final budget is approved on time, and to guarantee that the final amount is what is needed to care for our veterans of past, present and future."

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Same old, same old from this administration!

Gimp