[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 52 (Wednesday, May 4, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: May 4, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
      H.R. 4013, THE VETERANS HEALTH CARE IMPROVEMENT ACT OF 1994

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                               speech of

                            HON. DAN BURTON

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April 26, 1994

  Mr. BURTON of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, as one of the original sponsors 
of the Burton-Penny amendment to lock in reductions of 252,000 in the 
Federal work force, I feel very strongly that we move ahead with 
downsizing the Government. However, we must not make those reductions 
in a haphazard or arbitrary way.
  One of the principles that ought to be guiding these efforts is that 
we should be eliminating wasteful layers of management so that we can 
preserve front-line personnel who are delivering services directly to 
the American people. That is why I support H.R. 4013, the Veterans 
Health Programs Improvement Act of 1994. This bill would exempt the 
veterans health care system from reductions under this work force 
reduction initiative.
  The veterans health care system has been underfunded for a number of 
years, severely restricting services they can provide to veterans who 
have served their country. If we apply these cuts in full-time 
equivalents to the veterans hospitals, we are going to lose doctors, 
nurses, and other health care professionals who directly care for our 
veterans. Instead, we should be making cuts in other parts of the 
Veterans Administration and in other agencies that do not provide such 
direct and essential health care services.
  As we pare down the Federal Government and reduce the work force, we 
must concentrate on excessive headquarters staff and unnecessary layers 
of bureaucracy so that direct services to the public can be preserved. 
This is the essence of reinventing Government. That is why I support 
H.R. 4013, and support eliminating unnecessary positions in other 
sections of the Department of Veterans Affairs and other agencies.

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