[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 85 (Wednesday, June 11, 2003)]
[House]
[Page H5179]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             VETERANS FACE INCREASED COSTS FOR HEALTH CARE

  (Mr. STRICKLAND asked and was given permission to address the House 
for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. STRICKLAND. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to point out the shabby 
treatment that this House and the administration is directing toward 
our Nation's veterans and our Nation's children. Just yesterday it was 
confirmed in the Committee on Veterans' Affairs that the administration 
continues to push for a $250 annual enrollment fee for many of our 
veterans just to be able to participate in the VA health care system. 
They want to increase the cost of a prescription drug from $7 to $15 a 
prescription. They want to increase the cost of a clinic visit from $15 
to $20. At a time when our young men and women are fighting for this 
country in Iraq, this President and this Congress want to impose 
additional financial hardships on the backs of our veterans. It does 
not make sense. It is time for the people of this country to become 
aware of what is happening. This administration is treating our 
veterans in a shabby manner and it ought to stop.

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