[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 97 (Friday, June 27, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1395]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         THE BUDGET STILL DOES NOT KEEP OUR PROMISE TO VETERANS

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. BOB FILNER

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 26, 2003

  Mr. FILNER. Mr. Speaker and colleagues, I rise to remind my 
colleagues that the proposed budget for our veterans is still woefully 
inadequate!
  Flat-line budgeting for several years prevented the Veterans Health 
Administration from keeping up with inflation and increased demand. 
Enrollees in the VA health care system (VHA) have increased by almost 
120 percent since 1996, going from 2.4 million to more than a projected 
7 million in the coming fiscal year. During that same period, VHA per 
capita expenditures have decreased by 30 percent.
  Had the level of funding kept up with the demand in inflation, the 
current VHA budget would be around $36 billion rather than the $25.3 
billion requested by the Administration. Had adequate funding been in 
place, VA Secretary Anthony Principi would not have had to temporarily 
suspend enrollment for VA health care for many of our nation's 
veterans.
  Veterans did not hesitate when called to service. I urge my 
colleagues to keep our promise to our nation's veterans when voting on 
the budget.

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