CONGRESSMAN BISHOP STATEMENT ON PASSAGE OF FY 2014 MILCON/VA APPROPRIATIONS ACT

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. (GA-02), Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies, issued the following statement regarding the passage of the H.R. 2216, the Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act of Fiscal Year 2014. H.R. 2216 passed 420 to 4.

“Today, the House of Representatives came together in a bi-partisan fashion to provide our military the resources it needs to defend our country and fund the services our veterans may need to carry out successful, productive lives. This bill will continue our ongoing commitment to our nation’s service members, veterans, and their families without compromising on necessary resources for services, benefits, and construction.”

“I am pleased that this bill also contains solutions to lessen the VA’s unconscionable disability claims backlog, including the funding and oversight to focus the development of an integrated electronic health records system between the VA and the DOD. Passage of this bill will also provide the necessary funding for maintenance and construction of military family housing, educational infrastructure for military children, and medical facilities.”

“While our country still continues to grapple with serious fiscal challenges, passage of this bill is proof that members from both sides of the aisle can still work together to solve budgetary issues relevant to us all. Bolstered by the success of this passage, Republicans and Democrats in Congress need to start working together to resolve sequestration in a bipartisan way, reducing spending responsibly without undermining our economic recovery.”

BACKGROUND:

For Congressman Bishop’s remarks regarding the FY 2014 Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Mark-Up, please click here.

Below is a list of highlights of funding levels and other key provisions in H.R. 2216, the Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act of Fiscal Year 2014:

Veterans Affairs (VA) – The legislation includes a total of $147.6 billion in both discretionary and mandatory funding for the Department of Veterans Affairs. This funding will help provide our nation’s veterans with the services and care they have earned for their dedicated service to the country.

VA Medical Services –The bill funds advanced VA medical services at $43.6 billion – providing for approximately over 6.5 million patients to be treated in Fiscal Year 2014. These funds will be used for mental health care services; suicide prevention activities; traumatic brain injury treatment; the treatment, housing, and job training of homeless veterans; and in rural health initiatives.

DOD-VA Electronic Health Record – The bill contains $252 million in funding to establish a single, integrated Department of Defense (DOD) and Veterans Affairs electronic health record system. The legislation requires that a unified system be certified by the Secretary of Department of Defense and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, and confirmed by the Government Accountability Office (GAO), before the majority of funding for the program is released.

Disability Claims Processing Backlog – In order to help the VA meet its goal of ending the disability compensation claims backlog by 2015, the bill provides $155 million for the paperless claims process system and $136 million for the digital scanning of health records. Additionally, funding has been provided for the hiring of 94 additional VA claims processors.

VA Mandatory Funding – The bill fulfills mandatory funding requirements such as veteran disability compensation programs for 4.2 million veterans and their survivors; post-9-11 GI bill education benefits for more than 764,000 veterans; and vocational rehabilitation and employment training for more than 175,000 veterans.

Oversight – Funds appropriated within the bill are to be designated for the development of an electronic health record system that meets the requirements of being single, joint, common, and integrated. Rigorous reporting requirements would be put into place to track the performance of each regional office on claim processing.

Advance Appropriations for Veterans Medical Programs – The bill contains $55.6 billion in advance Fiscal Year 2015 funding for the VA – the same level provided in the President’s Budget request. This funding will provide for medical services, medical support and compliance, and medical facilities, and ensure that our veterans have continued, full access to their medical care needs.

Military Construction – The bill provides $9.9 billion for military construction projects – a decrease of $670 million below the enacted Fiscal Year 2013 level. These programs include large and small construction and rehabilitation projects on military bases within the U.S. and overseas.

Military Family Housing –The bill provides $1.5 billion to fund construction, operation and maintenance of military family housing for Fiscal Year 2014. This is $106 million below the enacted fiscal year 2013 level, due to savings from the privatization of family housing. The funding will ensure quality housing is continued for 1,231,044 military families whose loved ones are serving the country.

Military Medical Facilities – The bill includes $927 million for construction and alterations for new or existing military medical facilities. These facilities support and care for 9.8 million eligible beneficiaries, including our wounded troops abroad.

Department of Defense Education Facilities –The bill includes $798 million for essential safety improvements and infrastructure work at 17 Department of Defense Education Activities (DODEA) facilities located within the U.S. and overseas. This funding will help address health, safety, and efficiency problems at these facilities for military children and families.

NATO – The bill funds the North Atlantic Treaty Organization Security Investment Program (NSIP) at $199.7 million which is $40 million below the fiscal year 2014 budget request and $54.2 million below the fiscal year 2013 enacted level.