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News Release
VETERANS: Murray Applauds 12 Percent Increase in Veterans Healthcare, But
Is Troubled that Northwest Veterans Still Face Long Waiting Lists
For Immediate Release:
Thursday, July 20, 2006
(Washington, D.C.) – Today U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-Wash) helped pass
an appropriations bill for the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) that
increases healthcare funding by 12 percent over last year. The Senate bill
rejects new fees and co-payments that the Bush Administration had sought
to impose on some veterans.
"I'm pleased that we were able to increase veterans funding without
imposing new fees on America's veterans," Murray said. "But I'm very
troubled that veterans in my region continue to face some of the longest
delays for the medical care they have earned."
The funding, contained in the FY 2007 Military Construction and Veterans
Affairs Appropriations bill, passed the full Senate Appropriations
Committee today and next needs to be approved on the Senate floor.
The bill provides $77.9 billion for the Department of Veterans Affairs, an
increase of $6.45 billion over last year.
* For VA Medical Services, the bill provides $28.69 billion ($3.06 billion
more than last year – a 12 percent increase).
* For VA Medical Facilities, it provides $3.57 billion ($271.3 more than
last year).
* For Medical and Prosthetic Research, it provides $412 million (same as
last year and $13 million over the President's request).
Within the bill, Murray also secured $38 million to build a new VA nursing
home in Tacoma and $390 million for Washington's military bases.
In February, President Bush proposed a VA budget that increased funding by
imposing new fees and co-payments on veterans. This year, as in years
past, Murray helped block those fees from being imposed.
Murray continued to express concern that Northwest veterans face some of
the longest delays in the nation for VA care. According the VA's latest
quarterly report to Congress, VISN 20 (which includes veterans in
Washington, Oregon, Idaho and Alaska) is the worst of the 21 VISNs when it
comes to providing primary and specialty care within 30 days of the
desired date.
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Larry Scott
