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U.S. Rep. Chet Edwards, D-Waco, attended the White House signing ceremony on Oct. 22 for the Veterans Health Care Budget Reform and Transparency Act of 2009, legislation that provides the Department of Veterans Affairs advance appropriations to craft its health care budget a full year in advance.
“For the first time ever, Congress has passed, and the president has signed into law, legislation that provides an advance appropriation for VA medical care,” Edwards said. “This new law keeps America’s promise to our veterans who have kept their promise to defend and protect our great nation and sends a clear message that we appreciate and respect their service and sacrifice.
“This was a top priority of America’s veterans’ service organizations because it will allow the VA to invest taxpayers’ dollars more effectively and efficiently while delivering health care benefits to veterans in a more timely manner.”
Edwards, as chairman of the House Military Constructions and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Subcommittee, authored $48.2 billion in advance appropriations for fiscal year 2011 for three medical accounts. They include medical services, medical support and compliance and medical facilities. Advance appropriations passed the House for the first time in history on July 10 under the 2010 Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations bill.
“By providing advanced appropriations for 2011, the VA will now have sufficient, timely and predictable funding,” said Raymond C. Kelley, national legislative director of AMVETS. “This will allow the VA to better coordinate for the use of valuable resources, to include hiring of key medical staff and other demands that are unique to the health care setting.”
Local leaders also praised the bill.
“The veterans of Johnson County can rest easy knowing that when they travel to the nearest VA facility for medical needs, those needs will not be delayed for ‘lack of funding,’ ” said Joel Franklin, commander of Cleburne’s C.E. DeLario Post 50. “This is another example why membership in the American Legion directly affects the lives of veterans and their families. When our national commander goes before Congress with veteran related concerns, numbers matter and the larger our organization is, the more attention the American Legion garnishes on Capitol Hill”
The bill addresses important veterans issues, said Kathryn Fasci, Johnson County Veterans Service officer.
“I am so very pleased to see our government respond to the real needs of our veterans,” Fasci said. “My role as advocate affords me the privilege of providing assistance with obtaining federal and state benefits for our veterans, their widows and their dependents. The signing of HR 1016 impacts not only the 7.84 million veterans currently enrolled in the VA health care system but also future veterans — the brave men and women currently serving in our military. It makes good on the government’s promise to provide quality health care to our veterans and their families.”
Clarene Hill, national commander of the American Legion agreed.
“No longer will VA and the veterans in its care have to suffer from the ‘check’s in the mail’ syndrome,” Hill said. “Now the VA will know a year in advance what resources will be available to it so plans can be made accordingly. Advance appropriations will go a long way toward minimizing compromises in the delivery of the high quality VA health care our veterans expect and deserve.”
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