By U.S. Rep. Mike Michaud(D-Maine)
There is no question that we face a time of adversity and challenge. Nationwide, employers in nearly every industry are cutting payrolls and hardworking Americans are finding themselves out of work. In the opening weeks of the 111th Congress, attention has been focused on ways to quickly create jobs and stimulate the weakened economy. A new agenda that invests in economic and financial stability must be our top priority. However, while we contend with our tough economic challenges, we must not lose sight of the longstanding needs of our veterans and their families. Current economic conditions demand an enhancement of veterans’ assistance and benefits that support our war heroes in a manner that suitably honors their sacrifice.
But we cannot do this if our federal budgets do not fund the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) in a timely manner. That’s why I recently joined a bipartisan group of Senators, Members of Congress and veterans service organizations in introducing H.R. 1016, the Veterans Health Care Budget Reform and Transparency Act of 2009. The bill would secure timely funding for veterans’ health care through the “advanced appropriations” process.
Too often in recent years, the VA has been funded after the beginning of the fiscal year. In one case it was so underfunded that they required supplemental funding. As a result, maintenance of facilities, cost saving investments in technology, and ultimately care for veterans was delayed or put in jeopardy. This cannot be allowed to occur when we are dealing with the health care of our veterans. There must be a timely, sufficient, and predictable funding stream. That is what this legislation is designed to achieve.
H.R. 1016 would authorize Congress to approve VA medical care appropriations one year in advance of the start of each fiscal year. An advance appropriation would provide VA with up to a year to plan how to deliver the most efficient and effective care to an increasing number of veterans with increasingly complex medical conditions.
I have been pushing this idea for years now because uneven budgets cycles and funding shortfalls have contributed to the rationing of VA health care and the inability of the VA to properly plan from year to year. This is unacceptable. If you think about it, individuals who are incarcerated, for whatever reason, are assured their health care. We can do no less for the veterans of this great nation of ours.
The new legislation would also task the Governmental Accountability Office (GAO) with studying and reporting to Congress for the next three years on VA’s budget forecasting model and estimates. By shedding light on VA’s internal budget process, Congress will have a much greater ability and incentive to develop appropriation bills that provide sufficient funding to meet the best estimate of anticipated demand for VA health care services in future years.
This Congress, I will once again serve as the Chairman of the House Veterans Affairs Subcommittee on Health where I will continue to fight for our veterans. I look forward to working with my fellow Members of Congress and President Obama to live up to our country’s shared commitment to honor the sacrifices of the men and women who have served our country. I will continue to work to ensure that our war heroes and their families receive the support and respect they have earned, and the care they deserve, during these challenging times.
