posted on June 16, 2004 12:11:02 PM new
Dear Friend:
As the conflict in Iraq comes to an end and our attention turns naturally to the men and women who serve in our armed forces, we have a moral obligation to remember those who have already served: America’s military veterans. The legislative developments of the past weeks could jeopardize services for veterans in Ohio and across the country.
Proposed cuts in veterans programs do not reflect the priorities most of us support during times of war or peace. Veterans have already made tremendous sacrifices for this country. We must not renege on our promises to them. Many of us in Congress are now fighting to prevent the cuts in veterans’ benefits and veterans’ health care. But we need your help. Veterans need to let their voices be heard about the importance of key veterans’ services and what they mean in their own lives.
The budget adopted on a party-line vote in the U.S. House on March 21 includes cuts of $14.6 billion in veterans’ benefits over the next 10 years. This means Congress would have to seriously cut the benefits paid to veterans with disabilities incurred or aggravated during military service. The budget cuts also threaten Montgomery GI Bill education benefits, vocational rehabilitation, and independent living programs for service-disabled veterans.
The House-passed budget also includes cuts of an additional $14.2 billion in veterans’ health care programs below the level needed to maintain current services over the next 10 years. The current VA health care system is already severely underfunded and not meeting the needs of our veterans. More than 200,000 veterans are currently waiting six months or longer for their first medical appointment with the VA. Furthermore, we are now engaged in a military conflict overseas, a conflict that will create a new generation of veterans who will be coming home with new health care needs. Our VA health care system needs the investment of additional resources - not a cut! But the House voted for significant cuts in resources.
As the Ranking Member on the Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee, I am disturbed the budget proposal would also double to $15 the copay veterans pay for prescription drugs. This increase comes one year after the President hiked the copay from $2 to $7. In less than two years, veterans, many of whom live on fixed incomes, are being asked to absorb a 350% increase in what they pay for prescription drugs.
Several Veterans Service Organizations (American Legion, AMVETS, Disabled American Veterans, Paralyzed Veterans of America, and the Veterans of Foreign Wars) were unanimous in their outrage over the cuts. These groups opposed the entire FY04 Budget Resolution because these funds were not restored. We are working together to push not only for a restoration of the dollars cut from veterans programs, but for increased funding to strengthen these programs.
Pending budget cuts often don’t get the attention they deserve until it’s too late. I would like to ask your help in letting members of your post and other neighbors know what’s at stake. Together, we can work to restore these cuts and ensure that Congress honors its commitments to our nation’s veterans.
I look forward to talking with you on important veterans issues and will be sure to provide you with continuing updates on veterans budget and legislative issues. Please do not hesitate to share with me your priorities for the coming year by contacting one of my district offices in either Akron at (330) 865-8450 or Elyria at (440) 934-5100 or toll free at (800) 234-6413.
posted on June 16, 2004 12:23:53 PM new
Ok, I'll answer the challenge, but will answer the same way the second amendment should be interpreted, each comma separates a distinct thought.
Anytime your atrophied cortex can't understand straight thinking, just ask. The contributors here are more than willing to help you deal with your obvious confusion.
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You know...the best way to defeat a liberal is to let them speak.
