Continuing resolution: bitter pill for VA health care.

The inability of Congress to pass a budget for the 2006 fiscal year that began Oct. 1 has resulted in a temporary continuing resolution which fails to adequately fund veterans health care. The measure funds veterans programs and services at 568.1 billion through Nov. 18.

Under rules governing the stopgap measure, agencies whose regular appropriation had not been finalized would be funded at either the 2005 level, the House-passed 2006 level, or the Senate-passed 2006 level, whichever is less. That meant VA health care and other discretionary spending was set at $31.5 billion as passed by the House. Of that amount, $2l billion is for medical services to veterans, some $2.3 billion less than called for in the Senate-passed VA funding bill. (See page H.)

"In effect, VA health care funding is being reduced by the inaction of members of Congress," said National Legislative Director Joseph A. Violante. "Since fiscal year 1998, Congress has passed 64 continuing resolutions to keep government running in absence of appropriations measures. In nearly every case, VA spending is reduced, to the detriment of our nation's veterans."

The continuing resolution was enacted to prevent a possible government shutdown following the expiration of fiscal year 2005 on Sept. 30. As DAV Magazine goes to print, only two of the fiscal year 2006 appropriations bills have been signed into law--the Interior-Environment bill and the Legislative Branch spending bill, which includes congressional pay raises.

Rep. Deborah Pryce (R-Ohio), who chairs of the (House Republican Conference, said lawmakers are eager to "stern the tide of spending" and "get back to our founding principles of smarter, leaner government." The Costs of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita have added to the pressure to reduce domestic, non-defense spending. President Bush has asked Congress to find cuts in both mandatory and discretionary spending to help pay for clean-tip and relief efforts on the Gulf Coast. Proposals for across-the-board spending cuts range from 1 % to 5%.

The continuing resolution prohibits agencies from beginning or resuming programs not funded in fiscal year 2005, or awarding new grunts, with the exception of force protection activities in Iraq.

"It does temporarily extend expiring authorizations for the VA's homeless veterans program, military and veterans' benefits, and other services." said Violante. "It also means tight spending restrictions for other VA programs, including veterans health care."

"By requiring the lowest spending level, members of Congress are squeezing VA programs to the point where there's little left to meet the needs of our veterans."

"The stalemate over the appropriations process will affect veterans seeking health care at VA medical facilities," said Violante. "Faced with ever increasing pressure on funding. VA medical directors may seek delays in medical treatment for veterans in hopes that adequate funding will be forth-coming in the future. But in the near term, austerity will be the byword."