[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 48 (Thursday, April 28, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: April 28, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
      H.R. 4013, VA HEALTH EXEMPTION FROM FEDERAL WORK FORCE CUTS

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                               speech of

                         HON. KAREN L. THURMAN

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April 26, 1994

  Mrs. THURMAN. Mr. Speaker, today the VA operates the Nation's largest 
centrally managed health care delivery system. It provides the full 
continuum of medical care, from primary care and sophisticated tertiary 
services to rehabilitation and long-term care. The impact of the VA's 
role in the current national health care environment is immense.
  Under the Federal Work Force Restructuring Act, the number of cuts to 
the Veterans Health Administration are completely arbitrary. Employment 
cuts are not based on any study, methodology, or analytic framework. We 
are not just talking about streamlining a Government agency or forcing 
efficiency. In no uncertain terms, this bill challenges effective 
delivery of health care to those involved in the VA health system.
  The Veterans Health Administration is committed to streamlining 
operations, and under this measure, the Veterans Health Administration 
could still be required to make personnel cuts by a future law which 
specifically directed them to do so.
  The real issue here is: where should these cuts be made? Across-the-
board cuts over the entire system do not answer the problems facing the 
Veterans Health Administration in the light of health care reform.
  In some parts of our country, beds and treatment are plentiful and 
accessible. Unfortunately, however, the Veterans Health Administration 
is pushed to the limit to accommodate health needs in certain areas. An 
arbitrary cut across the board would only exacerbate this problem. This 
bill provides us with an opportunity to avoid such a situation.
  With over 2,000 veterans moving to Florida each month, care provided 
by the Veterans Health Administration is being spread out thinner and 
thinner. Because Florida's population is growing so quickly, it is 
difficult to imagine the Veterans Health Administration being able to 
provide the present level of care, in my State, with approximately 
1,400 less full time employees.
  We will have the ability to improve efficiency and effectiveness 
within the Veterans Health Administration, whether through 
consolidation or reorganization but we must also recognize the changes 
taking place throughout the country, like those in Florida, and act 
accordingly.
  Passage of this measure will allow us the opportunity to discuss and 
implement an effective and constructive law directing reductions in the 
Veterans Health Administration. The future of the Nation's largest 
managed health care delivery system is too important to allow broad-
based sweeping changes to affect it.

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