[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 10]
[House]
[Page 12948]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                BURDENS BEING PLACED ON BACK OF VETERANS

  (Mr. STRICKLAND asked and was given permission to address the House 
for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. STRICKLAND. Mr. Speaker, as we approach the Memorial Day weekend, 
I think it is important for the veterans across this country to 
understand what this body is doing. We are placing additional burdens 
on the backs of our veterans for the health care they receive through 
the VA system in order to give a larger, more generous tax cut to the 
richest people in this country, many of whom have never served this 
country in the military.
  Why do I say that? We passed a budget in this House supported by the 
President that asked for a $250 annual enrollment fee so that many of 
our veterans will be able to participate in the VA health care system. 
If they do not pay the enrollment fee, they cannot participate.
  The President has asked for an increase in the co-payment for 
prescription drugs from $7 to $15 a prescription. They have placed a 
gag order on their health care providers, saying they can no longer 
actively inform veterans of the benefits they are legally entitled to 
receive.
  So here is what we have: a decision by the President and the Congress 
to put an additional financial burden on the backs of our veterans so 
that we can give a more generous tax cut to the richest people in this 
country. It is wrong.

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