[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 42 (Tuesday, March 7, 1995)]
[House]
[Page H2728]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                     SAVE FLORIDA VETERANS PROJECTS

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under the Speaker's announced policy of 
January 4, 1995, the gentlewoman from Florida [Ms. Brown] is recognized 
during morning business for 2 minutes.
  Ms. BROWN of Florida. Madam Speaker, last week the Republican members 
of the House Committee on Appropriations voted to rescind $206 million 
in the VA's budget for this year. These funds were intended for six VA 
facilities and medical equipment to provide better health care for our 
Nation's veterans.
  Of these six projects that were cut, two were in the Florida, 
Gainesville ambulatory care unit that has been on the list for over 18 
years, and one in Orlando that is a win-win situation, an example of 
how Government works well.
  When the Base Closure Commission recommended closing the naval 
training facility, the Department of Defense, along with Veterans' 
Affairs, worked together to turn that facility over to the veterans who 
really needed the facility in the Orlando area. The amount of this 
funding was $14 million. There could be no backing down on this matter. 
A vote to keep our veterans projects is a vote to keep our promise to 
our veterans.
  These cuts targeted at veterans are another example that the 
Republican ``Contract With'' is a ``Contract on America,'' and a 
Contract on American veterans.
  Madam Speaker, one project was for a $14 million project to allow the 
VA to relocate from its present location to the Orlando Naval Training 
Center hospital, identified for base closure, for use as a satellite 
outpatient clinic and a 120-bed nursing home facility.
  The existing outpatient clinic in Orlando is a disgrace. It lacks 
sufficient examining rooms, waiting areas, and bathrooms. There is no 
privacy for examining women veterans and parking is severely limited. 
These veterans in east central Florida have already waited too long for 
access to a quality health care facility.
  The other funds were $17.8 million for a VA ambulatory care addition 
in Gainesville. Funds have already been obligated for the Gainesville 
ambulatory care addition. In fact, last week the VA announced a 
contract award for the project. This project has been identified by the 
VA as critically necessary to relieve outpatient overcrowding problems. 
Lack of space prevents the medical center from offering care in a 
timely manner. This Gainesville project has been designed to include an 
ambulatory surgery facility in renovated space, along with facilities 
for primary care, specialty outpatient care, and women's health.
  It is a national disgrace that Republicans cut these funds to provide 
better care for veterans. The list obviously was quickly and 
thoughtlessly compiled. Our Nation's veterans--men and women--who have 
been called upon to put their lives on the line in remote parts of the 
world and under the most difficult conditions. If they survive this 
ordeal, they should at least be able to have good care when they return 
to the United States.
  These canceled projects prevent us from expanding our outpatient 
services, a national trend in health care delivery, and making our 
health care system more efficient and cost effective. These canceled 
projects are aimed at one of the most fragile groups in our society--
aging World War II and Korean conflict veterans. These and all veterans 
should expect and receive good care. If we cannot protect them at their 
time of need, how can we ask them to stand in harms way to protect us?


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