$6.6 BILLION released for Veterans Healthcare: Largest Single Increase for VA in 77 Years

Press Release

$6.6 BILLION released for Veterans Healthcare: Largest Single Increase for VA in 77 Years

The VA in Wisconsin will see an increase in resources this year thanks to the recent release of $6.6 billion for the Department of Veterans Affairs. Congress approved the funding in the recently passed omnibus appropriations bill, which includes $3.7 billion for the VA over the President's 2008 budget request.

Last December, Congresswoman Moore joined dozens of her colleagues to urge a speedy release of the additional money for the VA. The Department has been woefully mismanaged in recent years, causing a decrease in care for many millions of this nation's wounded warriors.

"This administration has taken our veterans for a real ride these past couple of years. Even as we fight a war overseas, the President has found it appropriate to continually under-fund care at the VA. We have over 450,000 veterans in Wisconsin, and a growing wave of soldiers coming back from Iraq and Afghanistan. It is simply unacceptable to ask them to endure substandard service caused by inadequate funding," Congresswoman Moore said.

"Right now many veterans are forced to wait an unconscionable 177 days to receive their benefits," Moore said. "This increase will mean 1,800 new case workers to reduce that waiting time, more qualified doctors and nurses to treat our returning soldiers, and new opportunities for the 200,000 homeless vets that are currently sleeping on the streets. These funds are vital to getting VA services back on track."

This measure has received the widespread support and praise of the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Military Officers Association of America, Paralyzed Veterans of America, and Disabled American Veterans.

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