Issues
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Veterans' Affairs Congress approved $63.9 billion for veterans’ programs in FY08, which is a $6.6 billion increase from FY07 and the largest in the history of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). The Veterans Health Administration estimates it will treat more than 5.8 million patients in 2008, including more than 263,345 veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan. In addition, this funding will be used to assist homeless veterans, address mental health and substance abuse, research and treat Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Traumatic Brain Injury, conduct Prosthetic research, improve medical facilities, and fund 3,100 new claims processors. That said, I am very concerned about the quality of our veterans programs, particularly considering the large number of injured veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan. Improving our veterans programs will continue to be a priority for the 110th Congress, and I expect funding for veterans programs will continue to increase. I strongly oppose any increase in TRI-CARE fees and am happy to report such proposals have been unanimously rejected by Congress. I supported changing the prohibition on concurrent receipt in 2004 and permitting retirees with more than 50 percent disability to receive full retirement and disability payments. While Congress may consider expanding this to include all disabled veterans, there are inequities in other benefits such as survivor benefit plans, sole survivors and the GI Bill that also require attention. As you may know, I am a veteran eligible for military benefits and do not participate in the lavish congressional pension. Finally, I will listen to reports from veterans and continue to work with the congressional oversight committee and VA officials to ensure that our veterans’ hospitals in Salisbury and Durham remain efficient and responsive to veterans’ needs. |