[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 48 (Thursday, April 28, 1994)]
[Senate]
[Page S]
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]

 
                  KEEP THE PROMISE: SUPPORT H.R. 4013

  (Mr. FILNER asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. FILNER. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 4013. While some 
Members have raised valid points in opposition, the bottom line is 
whether or not we are going to be able to keep the promise that our 
country has made to our veterans.
  Throughout our Nation's history, we have made a commitment to our 
veterans. In return for their service to our country, we have promised 
them certain benefits, foremost among them being health care. If you 
want to break this promise, you will vote against H.R. 4013. If you 
want to keep this promise, you will vote for H.R. 4013.
  The Veterans Health Administration is supposed to be getting ready to 
become a competitive health care provider. Even with current staffing 
levels, VA hospitals and outpatient clinics cannot provide services to 
all veterans who seek care. Restrictions on hiring will increase this 
problem and could assure failure during health care reforms.
  Making government more efficient is important, but we must do this 
intelligently--not arbitrarily. H.R. 4013 follows the Vice President's 
recommended approach. Agency managers should be free to set personnel 
levels, based on available budgets, that will best fulfill the agency's 
mission.
  The VA has identified several ways of eliminating unnecessary 
personnel. H.R. 4013 does not require the VA to employ unnecessary 
people. It requires that the VA, not outside budget examiners, make 
decisions about the way to serve our veterans.
  To vote no on H.R. 4013 would mean: a loss of 5,000 doctors, nurses, 
and other direct patient care personnel over the next year--and 25,000 
over the next 5 years and another 430,000 veterans will be turned away 
from VA hospitals during the next 5 years.
  Is this the way to keep the promise to our veterans? It is not. I 
join with the major veterans' organizations in urging a ``yes'' vote on 
H.R. 4013.

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