by Rebecca Vinduska
Appropriations
Once again, months into a new fiscal year, there is no budget
for the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). At press time, the
Senate had passed an amendment adding $1.3 billion for the Veterans
Health Administration (VHA) Medical Care Fund for FY 2004 as part
of the emergency supplemental appropriation for security and reconstruction
in Iraq and Afghanistan.
The amendment, introduced by Senator Christopher Bond (R-MO)
will now be part of negotiations between House and Senate conferees.
The proposed additional funding also faces strong opposition by
the Bush Administration. In a letter to the Chair and ranking
members of the Congressional Appropriations’ Committees,
Josh Bolten, Director of the Office of Management and Budget,
states: "The Administration strongly opposes these provisions,
including Senate provisions that would allocate an additional
$1.3 billion for VA medical care and the provision that would
expand benefits under the TRICARE Program."
At present, only the House of Representatives has passed the
VA-HUD and Independent Agencies Appropriations Bill for FY 2004.
The House bill contained no additional funds above the President’s
request, despite many efforts to add a much needed additional
$1.8 billion. The Senate bill has passed through Committee and
is awaiting passage by the full Senate.
Although all co-payments and "user fees" are eliminated,
other smoke and mirror mechanisms have been added. On the surface,
it appears that there is a $1.4 billion increase. When the smoke
clears, however, the direct increase is hard to find. Provisions
such as those allowing $400 million of the VHA medical care budget
to be transferred to the construction fund are of serious concern
to BVA.
CARES
Thank you to all blinded veterans who continue to be very active
in the VA Capital Asset Realignment for Enhanced Services (CARES)
process. Your attendance at meetings as well as your submission
of comments and testimony before the CARES Commission is crucial.
I had the honor of presenting the BVA national view before the
Commission in early October. It was evident that the Commissioners
had listened well to the issues you had presented. BVA encourages
you to stay informed as this process reaches its final stage.
The Commission is now entering the final recommendation phase
and will be reviewing all of the testimonies and comments received
from the public. A few members of Congress have introduced legislation
in response to concerns about the CARES process.
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