- Contact the Committee

Washington, DC – Today, the House of Representatives approved H.R. 5385, the Military Construction, Military Quality of Life and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Act, Fiscal Year 2007.  The bill funds significant increases for veterans’ mental health programs.

“At a time when most federal spending will see few increases, veterans’ spending will rise next year another 10 percent.  This budget reflects our continuing commitment to care for America’s veterans,” said Chairman Buyer.

Committed to our returning OIF and OEF veterans, this bill would increase funding for their care by 6.3 percent.  With passage of this legislation, Congress provides nearly $3 billion in funding for specialty mental health care for FY07.  This includes funds for the treatment of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and funding for three Centers for Excellence where mental health care treatment will be provided.

House Appropriations Committee, Subcommittee on Military Quality of Life and Veterans Affairs, and related agencies as passed by the House on May 19, 2006:

$32.7 billion for the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) for FY2007:

• $25.4 billion for medical services, a $2.6 billion (11.6percent) increase over the FY2006 enacted amount and $100 million less than the President’s requested amount of $25.5 billion;
   

• $3.3 billion for medical administration, a $100 million increase over the President’s request;
   

• $3.6 billion for medical facilities; and $412 million for medical and prosthetic research,
  a $13.0 million increase over the Administration’s request;
   

• Congress allocates no less than $2.8 billion for specialty mental health care for FY07.  Treatment for PTSD and funding for three Centers for Excellence for mental health care facilities is included within the $2.8 billion; and
   

• Enrollment fees and co-pay increases as requested by the Administration’s budget proposal for VHA for FY2007, were not included.
   

• Directs the VA to report by November 10, 2006, on their plan for resolving the claims backlog, the timeline for implementation of this plan and any needs for additional personnel
   

• Directs the VA to develop a program of coordination, information sharing and technical assistance for veterans’ transportation to assure those veterans who are isolated in rural areas or have special needs are able to receive the vital healthcare they need.