Dr. Benishek Says "No" To Spending Cuts To Veterans' Healthcare

Press Release

Congressman Dan Benishek (MI-01) today cosponsored the "Protect VA Healthcare Act of 2012" (H.R. 3895), a bill that protect veterans' healthcare from a possible 2 percent reduction in funding.

"The men and women who have fought valiantly for this country deserve the benefits they have earned. The federal government is certainly in need of serious spending reductions, but I believe this can be done without endangering care for this nation's veterans," said Benishek, a general surgeon who worked at a VA medical center before coming to Congress.

Benishek, a member of the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs, stated the "Protect VA Healthcare Act of 2012," would specifically exempt veterans' health care programs from anticipated spending reductions. These upcoming reductions are a result of the 2011 "Budget Control Act" which required a $1.2 trillion cut in spending after Congress failed last year to pass a deficit reduction package.

"When the Budget Control act was passed, it was the understanding of the Veterans' Committee that VA programs would be exempt from the automatic spending cuts, however the law is unclear on this point. I am still confident Congress can avoid these cuts. In the meantime, Chairman Jeff Miller and the Veterans' Committee will continue to work with House leadership and the Administration to clarify that veterans program are off the table," added Benishek.

There are more than 68,000 veterans living in Michigan's First District, which accounts for 13.7 percent of the District's population.[1]

The "Protect VA Healthcare Act of 2012" (H.R. 3895) was authored by Rep. Jeff Miller (FL-01), the Chairman of the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

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