Largest Increase in Veterans’ Health Care in History

Congressional funding fulfilling promises to American veterans approved by President

Washington, D.C. – Congressman Baron Hill hailed the President’s release late last week of the $3.7 billion in additional veterans funding provided by Congress – to provide the largest single funding increase in the 77-year history of the Department of Veterans Affairs.

“With this historic veterans funding, this new Congress has begun to fulfill our promises to honor American veterans with both our words and our actions,” Hill said. “After years of neglect during a time of war, the 110th Congress will ensure that our veterans have the resources and benefits they have earned and improve our local veterans’ facilities.”

“Americans were shocked to learn one year ago of a crisis in care for soldiers returning from Iraq and Afghanistan,” Hill added. “America can do better, and this historic funding increase, paired with our Wounded Warriors Act reforms, puts us on the right track for America’s veterans.”

With the release of these funds, the 110th Congress has provided an extra $6.7 billion over last year for the largest single funding increase in the 77-year history of the Department of Veterans Affairs. This funding is primarily aimed at:

 Strengthening quality health care for 5.8 million patients, including about 263,000 Iraq and Afghanistan veterans, in the 5th year of the war in Iraq;
 Investing in much-needed maintenance for VA health care facilities and treatment for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Traumatic Brain Injury for returning veterans;
 Reducing the backlog of veterans (400,000 claims) waiting for their earned benefits by adding 1,800 claims processors.
 Building on the first steps by this Congress at the beginning of 2007 -- increasing veterans’ health care and benefits by $5.2 billion for improved care and shorter waiting lines for veterans waiting 177 days to receive their earned benefits.

This increase won widespread support and praise from America’s leading veterans’ organizations including the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Military Officers Association of America, Paralyzed Veterans of America, AmVets, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, National Association for Uniformed Services and Disabled American Veterans.

“Providing quality care and services to our veterans is one of my top priorities,” Hill said. “I am very proud of the work done thus far by this Congress, and look forward to making significantly more progress on veterans’ issues during the second session of Congress.”