$2 Billion More Urged for Veterans
The White House asked Congress on Thursday for an additional $2 billion to cover a shortfall in funding for veterans health benefits, two weeks after asking for $975 million.
The latest request includes $300 million for current needs and $1.7 billion for the budget year starting Oct. 1. The additional money is necessary to correct underestimations by the Department of Veterans Affairs of the number of veterans seeking care as well as increased costs of treatment and long-term care.
Lawmakers promised speedy action on the funds needed for this year, which were likely to be included in an Interior Department funding bill sent to President Bush before Congress leaves for its August recess, said Senate Veterans Affairs Committee Chairman Larry E. Craig (R-Idaho). The remainder will be handled as Congress considers the department’s regular funding bill, he said.
Three weeks ago, Veterans Affairs Secretary Jim Nicholson told lawmakers that faster-than-expected growth in healthcare demand had left the department about $1 billion short this year.
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