[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 98 (Friday, June 26, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1617]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    VETERANS HEALTH CARE BUDGET REFORM AND TRANSPARENCY ACT OF 2009

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                               speech of

                           HON. MAXINE WATERS

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 23, 2009

  Ms. WATERS. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 1016--To amend 
title 38, United States Code, to provide advance appropriations 
authority for certain medical care accounts of the Department of 
Veterans Affairs. This bill would ensure sufficient, timely, and 
predictable veterans funding so that the Department of Veterans Affairs 
would have the federal funding to better serve veterans' medical needs 
and improve health care services. This is a very timely and important 
measure as many of our troops today are returning home in need of 
accessible and adequate health care services. Therefore I strongly 
commend my colleague Bob Filner for bringing this measure before the 
floor.
  This bill would authorize Congress to provide investments in the 
Department of Veterans Affairs medical care one year in advance so the 
department can have sufficient time to plan how to deliver the best 
care to an increasing number of veterans with increasingly complex 
medical conditions.
  My military constituents often turn to me for support in confronting 
the many challenges they face when working with the Department of 
Veterans Affairs. We have come to understand, that many of the 
challenges in efficient health care services are attributable to the 
Department of Veterans Affairs' inadequate funding. For most of the 
past two decades, the appropriated funds for medical care have not been 
provided to the Department of Veterans Affairs in a timely manner. This 
has resulted in the department's problems in planning and managing care 
for enrolled veterans. Accordingly, this bill addresses this budgetary 
problem and allows for advance appropriations to ensure the department 
has the Federal backing to effectively address the medical needs of our 
nation's veterans.
  As a vocal advocate for veterans' rights, I am pleased to add my 
voice of support for H.R. 1016. I look forward to working with my 
colleagues to ensure that we continue to provide the necessary 
resources towards improving our Department of Veterans Affairs' health 
care programs and administrative services.

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