[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 28 (Tuesday, March 7, 2006)]
[Senate]
[Page S1831]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          VETERANS HEALTH CARE

  Mr. BURNS. Mr. President, I am concerned that the President's 
Department of Veterans Affairs fiscal year 2007 budget request does not 
include adequate funding for VA health care. Specifically, this budget 
request would require certain veterans to pay a $250 enrollment fee in 
order to access the health care system each year. In addition, the 
budget proposes to more than double prescription copayments from $7 to 
$15, further burdening the limited resources of those who have served 
our country.
  The VA estimates that these measures will save the Department an 
estimated $795 million in 2007. This savings estimate is based not only 
on collections but on increasing the number of veterans who will opt-
out of the service due to the higher fees. The VA estimates they will 
force over 1 million veterans, almost half of the Priority 7 and 
Priority 8 veterans, to drop out of the VA health care system.
  Do we really want our veterans to be faced with the difficult choice 
of either dropping out of the VA health care system or bearing these 
additional costs? Those who do not drop out of the VA health care 
system will be forced to pay hundreds more for their health care. 
Veterans who receive prescription drugs from the VA and who fill a 
typical number of prescriptions a year could face new fees amounting to 
nearly $600. I realize that agencies such as the VA must look for ways 
to save dollars, but our Nation's veterans deserve adequate and 
affordable health care.
  While I understand the need to reduce Federal spending, I urge my 
colleagues to reject these proposals to reduce spending for VA health 
care in the fiscal year 2007 budget. I believe it is absolutely 
critical that the VA health care system be fully funded. The Congress 
has rejected these proposals in the past, and I hope it will do so 
again this year. Our veterans should not be faced with these choices 
nor forced to bear this burden. We must keep our promise to care for 
the veterans who made so many sacrifices to ensure the freedom of so 
many.

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