Senate panel explores VA budget reform.

The DAV continues to take the lead in efforts to achieve the goal of guaranteed, full funding for veterans health care. In testimony before the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee, the DAV represented a coalition of national veterans organizations in calling on Congress to approve legislation that would replace the current discretionary funding mechanism that puts patients at risk and makes it impossible for the Department of Veterans Affairs to operate effectively.

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In his July 25 testimony on behalf of the Partnership for Veterans Health Care Budget Reform, National Legislative Director Joseph A. Violante called on Congress to "stand up for veterans" and ensure the long-term viability of the VA health care system.

"This hearing marks a major milestone in our efforts to guarantee full funding for veterans health care," said National Adjutant Arthur H. Wilson. "Reforming the way veterans health care is funded is absolutely key to ensuring that today's and tomorrow's veterans will have access to the top-quality care from the VA for as long as they need it."

The wars in Iraq and Afghanistan are producing a new generation of wounded, sick and disabled veterans, many with severe polytrauma injuries never seen before in warfare. Those young Americans wounded today with brain injury, limb loss or blindness will need the VA health care system for the remainder of their lives.

"The goal is for a long-term solution formed for funding VA health care to guarantee these veterans will have a dependable system for the foreseeable future, not simply next year," said Violante. "Reformation of the whole funding system is essential so federal funds can be secured on a timely basis, allowing VA to manage the delivery of care and to plan effectively to meet known and predictable needs. In our judgment a change is warranted and long overdue."

For more than a decade the Partnership has urged Congress to reform the basic discretionary appropriations system of funding VA health care. "The VA health care system must be protected for millions of veterans who depend on it now as their only health care resource and will do so for many decades," Violante told the Committee.

"While we have waited a long time for today's hearing, the Partnership acknowledges and applauds the support of this Committee and your Appropriations Committee colleagues who have increased VA discretionary health care funding over the past several budget cycles, and in particular this year's prospective increase of $6 billion in additional health care funding," Violante said. "Nevertheless, I hope to make clear to the Committee why funding problems persist and how Congress can solve this issue by enacting a reform that results in sufficiency, predictability and timeliness of VA health care funding."

The Partnership for Veterans Health Care Budget Reform includes The American Legion, AMVETS, Blinded Veterans Association, Disabled American Veterans, Jewish War Veterans of the USA, Military Order of the Purple Heart of the USA, Paralyzed Veterans of America, Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States and Vietnam Veterans of America.

"Our efforts will continue as we work with lawmakers on crafting legislation that provides sufficient funding to meet the needs of all enrolled veterans. The three key principals for funding reform are sufficiency, timeliness and predictability," Violante said.

Violante called on the Committee to inform the Budget Committee of its intention to report legislation creating a mandatory funding system for VA health care in the Committee's forthcoming fiscal year 2009 budget views and estimates.

Violante said the prospects are very good for a hearing on VA budget reform before the House Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Health in October.