VA's $1 Billion Mistake Hurting Veterans


    WASHINGTON, June 24 /PRNewswire/ -- Yesterday's announcement that the Department of Veterans Affairs had understated their 2005 health care budget needs by $1 billion came as no surprise to the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States.

    "Senior VFW leaders were outspoken in their efforts last year to tell the administration and Congress that the 2005 VA budget was short, and now we have the VA admitting that they can't properly perform their mission without robbing one account to pay another," said John Furgess, the commander-in-chief of the 2.4 million-member VFW and its Auxiliaries.

    "One billion dollars is a huge mistake, one that shows a lack of candor and accountability on the VA's part, and one that does a tremendous disservice to military veterans who, above all other citizens, are responsible for every freedom we enjoy today," he said. "This is a mistake that never should have happened. Now it'll take an emergency supplemental to correct the mistake this year and possibly next."

    Yesterday, the chairs of the House and Senate Committees on Veterans Affairs expressed their anger over the VA admission.

    "The situation is unacceptable and we will solve the problem," said Rep. Steve Buyer (R-Ind.).

Sen. Larry Craig (R-Idaho), in referring to a phone conversation he had with VA Secretary Jim Nicholson, said, "I am certain that he is going to take serious steps to ensure that this type of episode is not repeated."

    "We greatly appreciate the congressman and senator's support and words, as well as those from other committee members from both parties," said Furgess, "I want to once again extend the VFW's offer to assist them in the creation of a VA health care budget that fulfills a nation's promise to care for the veterans of today and tomorrow."

    The VFW assists all veterans and their families obtain veterans' entitlements and other services. In addition, the organization works for the well being of those serving on active duty, in the National Guard and the Reserves. The VFW was founded in 1899. It is the nation's largest combat veterans' group.

SOURCE  Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States

06/24/2005 13:21 ET