Veterans’ Health Care Faces Cuts

The Department of Veterans Affairs announced Friday that it will cut some veterans health care services because “urgently needed” funds are tied up in a congressional battle over an emergency spending bill.

VA Secretary Edward Derwinski called the cutbacks “temporary” and said they will be closely monitored. But he warned that unless the urgently needed new funds reach the VA soon, more drastic cutbacks will follow.

Among the immediate steps being taken to save health care funds include a freeze on accepting new patients whose eligibility depends on available VA resources.

Except in emergencies, the agency said, veterans affected are those whose status is not service-connected and whose incomes are above limits set by law.

Other actions include decreasing staff levels at VA facilities through attrition, the agency said. It said the VA also will halt spending used to purchase and maintain certain medical equipment and will delay the start-up of several new projects.

Derwinski said the cutbacks and other cost-saving measures should keep the VA health care facilities operating until June 15, “when we are cautiously optimistic that the Congress will resolve its differences and provide VA with urgently needed funds.”