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I am committed to funding our nation's veterans programs fully. Last year I voted to provide more than $26 billion to veteran's medical programs. This was a $10 billion, or 38 percent, increase from 1995, and a $2 billion, or 7 percent, increase from 2002, when I first came to office. Working with the Administration, the Congress has reduced long-term waiting lists by 98 percent in two years, eliminated the Social Security offset within the Survivor Benefit Plan, and resolved the concurrent receipt problem. On July 14, 2005, I voted for H.R. 1220, which would ensure that disability compensation rises to meet the cost of living. Our veterans have given so much on behalf of our country, and I will continue to work to make their lives and the lives of their families more comfortable.
Like most Americans, I was taken by surprise by the shortfall in the Department of Veterans Affairs budget. I have personally met with the VA Secretary Jim Nicholson and urged him to work with Congress to immediately address this critical issue. We will be working to fill this shortcoming immediately in order to meet the needs of America's veterans.
Recently, the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee held an oversight hearing to examine health care cost forecasting and uncovered key weaknesses in the processes used by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to forecast health care demand. During this process, the Committee uncovered a critical shortfall in veterans’ health care funding for fiscal years 2005 and 2006. Administration officials testified before Congress that the funding shortfall is due in part to updated actuarial information and an increase in the number of veterans returning from the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan. Flaws in the VA forecasting model and an unanticipated surge in demand for veterans’ health care have caused the shortfall.
Because of its budget cycle, VA must assess demand for health services two to three years into the future, far exceeding the sophistication of its current model. The VA model forecasted 2.5 percent growth eighteen months ago, but did not take into account the increased enrollment among reservists. It is imperative that we determine the right figures, and reform the budgeting process to ensure veterans get the care they deserve. If the weaknesses in the VA’s forecasting process are not recognized, this type of shortfall could certainly happen again. The private sector conducts “risk adjustment” annually, and their forecasting is fairly agile and responsive. The VA should be required to produce accurate budget forecasts on an annual basis as well.
I believe that Congress has the responsibility to address these weaknesses in the current system and ensure adequate health care funding for veterans. Congress is currently considering legislation that immediately solves the current problem and allows us to develop thoughtful solutions to any potential future funding gaps.
I am committed to ensuring that the men and women serving in our Armed Services are given the care they deserve both while serving their country and after their service. Congress should not tolerate any diminution of services or reduced quality of care for our nation's veterans. I will continue to work with other members of Congress and the Administration to arrive at an appropriate solution to ensure our veterans are taken care of over the long term.
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