[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 98 (Friday, June 26, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1630]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


    VETERANS HEALTH CARE BUDGET REFORM AND TRANSPARENCY ACT OF 2009

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                        HON. SHEILA JACKSON-LEE

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 23, 2009

  Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker. I rise today in strong support 
of H.R. 1016, ``Veterans Health Care Budget Reform and Transparency Act 
of 2009.'' I would like to thank my colleague, Congressman Bob Filner, 
for introducing this bill, and providing leadership on this important 
issue.
  Today I will defer to Thomas Jefferson who so auspiciously stated, 
``The care of human life and happiness and not their destruction is the 
first and only legitimate object of good government.'' We must call 
attention as both the House and Senate discuss health care reform. 
Today, in the midst of two wars and an economic crisis, I know in this 
111th Congress and with the 44th President of the United States, our 
government is now in the position of necessity where we must work to 
ensure comprehensive health care reform to all citizens.
  The Veterans Health Care Budget Reform and Transparency Act of 2009 
will ensure that one community who gave the ultimate measure for their 
country will have a quality health care system. I urge members of 
Congress to put away the partisan bickering and come together to 
support those who have given their lives for the country they love. 
There should be no reason why our veterans should not receive the 
adequate health care they deserve.
  For 19 out of the past 22 fiscal years, appropriated funds for 
medical care were not provided to the Department of Veterans Affairs 
before the commencement of its new fiscal year, causing the Department 
great challenges in planning and managing care for enrolled veterans. 
Appropriation levels for health care programs in the Department have 
too often proven insufficient over the past decade, requiring the 
Secretary of Veterans Affairs to ration health care and Congress to 
approve supplemental appropriations. Medical technology available on 
the battlefields and in U.S. medical facilities are saving the lives of 
a high percentage of severely wounded soldiers, but they then often 
face long-term recovery and rehabilitation challenges.
  By providing sufficient, timely and predictable funding we would 
ensure that we meet the vital obligation to provide health care to all 
veterans. Congress must take action in ensuring our veterans who return 
home sick, injured, or even healthy will receive the quality health 
care they deserve. As Congress begins to swiftly act in an 
unprecedented time, I urge my colleagues to put away partisan bickering 
and act as a single non-partisan government to ensure our citizens' 
happiness in a quality health care system.

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