  The American Veteran's #1 Information Source Click here to make VA Watchdog dot Org your homepage VA NEWS FLASH from Larry Scott at VA Watchdog dot Org -- 02-26-2009 |
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The American Veteran's #1 Information Source Click here to make VA Watchdog dot Org your homepage VA NEWS FLASH from Larry Scott at VA Watchdog dot Org -- 02-26-2009 |
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IT "RENEWING AMERICA'S PROMISE" -- Budget calling for 11% increase in discretionary funding, greater VA access for Group 8 vets, new homeless vet programs, and more.
The 2010 budget has been released, and there's good news for veterans. OMB site is here... http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/ VA budget fact sheet is here... Fact sheet below: Your comments accepted at bottom of page.
A New Era of Responsibility: Renewing America's Promise The Department of Veterans Affairs FY2010 Budget
To honor America’s veterans and expand the
services they receive,
INCREASED FUNDING AND EXPANSION OF BENEFITS Increases funding for VA by $25 billion above the baseline over the next five years. The President’s Budget takes the first step toward increasing funding for VA by $25 billion during the next five years in order to honor our nation’s veterans and expand the services they receive.Dramatically increases funding for VA health care. This increase will provide adequate resources to give 5.5 million veteran patients timely and high-quality care. This funding also enables VA to create Centers of Excellence and provides additional veteran-oriented specialty care in areas including prosthetics, vision and spinal cord injury, aging, and women’s health. Restores health care eligibility for modest-income veterans. The President’s Budget expands eligibility for VA health care to non-disabled veterans earning modest incomes. This expansion will bring more than 500,000 eligible veterans into the VA health care system by 2013 while maintaining high-quality and timely care for the lower-income and disabled veterans who currently rely on VA medical care. Provides greater benefits for veterans who are medically retired from active duty. For the first time, highly disabled veterans who are medically retired from service will be eligible for concurrent receipt of full disability benefits from VA in addition to Department of Defense retirement benefits. Enhances outreach and services related to mental health care and cognitive injuries with a focus on access for veterans in rural areas. VA will increase the number of Vet Centers and mobile health clinics to expand access to mental health screening and treatment in rural areas. In addition, new funding will help veterans and their families to stay informed of these resources and encourage them to pursue needed care. TECHNOLOGY FOR IMPROVED SERVICE DELIVERY
Through improved electronic medical records, VA will more efficiently retrieve active duty health records from the Department of Defense and enable all VA care sites to access the records of veterans needing care. VA will also invest in the development of rules-based electronic processes to increase accuracy, consistency, and timeliness in veterans’ receipt of benefits. COMPREHENSIVE EDUCATIONAL BENEFITS Facilitates timely implementation of the comprehensive education benefits veterans earn through their dedicated service. This Budget provides the resources for effective implementation of the Post-9/11 GI Bill -- providing unprecedented levels of educational support to the men and women who have served our country through active military duty. SAFEGUARDING VULNERABLE VETERANS Combats homelessness by safeguarding vulnerable veterans. The President’s Budget expands VA’s current services to homeless veterans through a collaborative pilot program with non-profit organizations. This pilot will help to maintain stable housing for veterans who are at risk of falling into homelessness while helping VA to continue providing them with supportive services. -------------------------
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