In this time of war, it is important to show support not only for our brave men and women currently serving overseas, but for the thousands of service members who served their country in previous conflicts. Unfortunately, the President’s FY2007 budget request fails to adequately honor our veterans by neglecting to meet their health care needs.

As you may know, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) operates the largest direct health care delivery system in the country, providing care at over 800 locations to about 5 million veterans. Since 1995, the Department of Defense (DOD) and the VA have coordinated their medical care in the program known as TRICARE. TRICARE provides beneficiaries with the opportunity of choosing a health maintenance organization option, a preferred provider option, or a fee-for-service option.

The Bush Administration’s proposed budget for FY2007 requests $34.3 billion for the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) health care program. This is an increase of $3.5 billion from 2006 levels. As the veteran population continues to age over the next 20 years, the total number of veterans will decline from 25 million to 17 million. As VA patients are increasingly older and sicker and are receiving more costly treatments, however, VA’s cost per patient will continue to grow. While greater than the 2006 amount, the Administration’s request is not enough to meet the federal government’s obligation to veterans. In order to make up the difference, the Administration is introducing a three-tier TRICARE fee structure for retirees under age 65. The proposal includes higher enrollment fees for the Prime plan, new enrollment fees for the Standard plan, increased annual deductibles for the Standard plan, and higher pharmacy co-payments. These changes would apply to Priority Level 7/8 veterans, who do not have service disabilities or lower incomes. No fee changes are proposed for active-duty members or their dependents, or for retirees over 65 who participate in TRICARE for Life.

These changes are not acceptable. The federal budget should honor veterans by providing the benefits they have earned at no additional cost to them. In order to ensure this, I have signed on as a co-sponsor of H.R. 4949, introduced by Rep. Chet Edwards (D-TX), which would amend title 10 of the U.S. code, in order to prohibit increases in fees for military health care.

As a veteran, legislation affecting former service men and women is especially important to me. Unfortunately, health care and prescription drug costs continue to rise in the United States, for both military retirees and private citizens. Raising TRICARE and pharmacy fees on retirees while the nation is at war, however, is a move that will send a powerful negative message to veterans, who bravely served our country during its time of need. The budget should honor our veterans by providing the benefits they have earned. Please be aware that proposals similar to the Bush Administration’s proposed FY2007 budget request that would increase the amount of money veterans pay for health services have been repeatedly rejected by Congress. As the House of Representatives prepares to work on funding figures for the FY2007 budget, please be assured that I will continue to support legislation that ensures our veterans have access to the highest quality health care at the lowest possible cost.