[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 62 (Wednesday, April 18, 2007)]
[Senate]
[Page S4693]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mrs. MURRAY:
  S. 1147. A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, To terminate 
the administrative freeze on the enrollment into the health care system 
of the Department of Veterans Affairs of veterans in the lowest 
priority category for enrollment (referred to as ``Priority 8''); to 
the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
  Mrs. MURRAY. Mr. President, I rise today to introduce the Honor Our 
Commitment to Veterans Act.
  More than four years ago, the Bush Administration cut off enrollment 
of Priority 8 veterans in the VA healthcare system. Priority 8 veterans 
are those veterans without service-connected disabilities whose income 
is above a means tested level that varies across the country. Many of 
these so-called ``high-income veterans'' have annual incomes as low as 
$26,902.
  When the Administration announced its intention to suspend healthcare 
enrollment for new Priority 8 veterans, they said that they were doing 
so in order to reduce the backlog and alleviate a longstanding funding 
crisis within the VA.
  There is no doubt that the VA has problems. Nearly five years into 
this war, our veterans are facing lengthy waits just to get in the door 
to see a primary care physician. They are having trouble accessing 
critical mental health services, and some are waiting up to two years 
for benefits claims to be processed. These are real problems facing 
real people, and they deserve real solutions.
  But instead of cutting off enrollment to veterans of modest means 
four years ago, the Bush Administration should have asked Congress for 
the resources necessary to address its shortcomings and increase access 
to this high quality health care system.
  It is absolutely unacceptable that veterans in need of care are being 
prohibited from enrolling in the system that is supposed to serve them. 
Veterans who have fought hard to secure our freedoms shouldn't have to 
fight for access to health care at home. Our veterans deserve better.
  That is why I am introducing the Honor Our Commitment to Veterans Act 
today, which would permit new Priority 8 veterans to enroll in the VA 
healthcare system.
  According to a recent Congressional Research Service report, the VA 
estimates that if the enrollment freeze was lifted, approximately 
273,000 Priority 8 veterans would have been eligible to receive medical 
care from VA in FY2006, and 242,000 Priority 8 veterans would be 
eligible in FY2007.
  This legislation, which has been introduced in the House by 
Congressman Steve Rothman of New Jersey, would correct the injustice 
perpetrated in 2003 by allowing all new Priority 8 veterans to enroll 
in the VA healthcare system.
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