Today I am introducing legislation that would secure more timely health care funding for the millions of veterans who rely on the Veterans Health Administration for their health care.

I am pleased to be joined by Senators Snowe, Feingold, Landrieu, Johnson, Murkowski, Stevens and Thune in introducing this important bill.

Not all Americans realize that VA's health care system is the largest in the nation.

They do know, to be sure, that many veterans are injured while serving our country, and unfortunately, some of these injuries require a lifetime of care. Millions of veterans rely on VA for health care every year, and every year that number grows.

Few Americans realize that the VA health care system must rely on an annual appropriation. While Congress has provided much-needed funding increases to veterans' health care in recent years, VA health care funding can be untimely and unpredictable, making it difficult for VA to manage its overall health care program effectively.

A survey recently commissioned by the Disabled American Veterans found that 83 percent of respondents favor requiring Congress to determine the budget for veterans' health care a year in advance this bill would do just that.

During my time on the Veterans' Affairs Committee, I have heard former Secretaries of Veterans Affairs state plainly that the current process is no way to fund the nation's largest health care system.  We need to provide a more secure and predictable funding system for veterans health care. Our legislation will do exactly that.

This legislation would require that veterans' health care be funded through the advance appropriations process. Under that process, programs are funded two-years in advance, rather than a year at a time.

Unlike the funding provided to Medicare and Medicaid, veterans' health care would not be funded as an entitlement: Congress would still be able to review and manage the funding, as necessary. But with advance appropriations, VA would be able to plan more efficiently, and better use taxpayer-dollars to care for veterans.

Uncertain and untimely funding can limit VA health care's effectiveness, while they strive to meet the needs of veterans on a daily basis, as costs grow rapidly.

Mr. President, what I am proposing today is not new. Congress already uses advance appropriations for programs that require funding in a timely manner, such as HUD Section 8 housing vouchers and the Low Income Heating Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP).

To this extent, I submit that veterans' health care is just as deserving of secured and predictable funding.

To increase transparency in this process, the bill I am introducing would require an annual GAO audit and public report to Congress on VA's funding forecasts.

This process of continuous open review of VA appropriations would help VA funds go even further for veterans and taxpayers.

Mr. President, advance funding for veterans' health care has the strong support of The Partnership for Veterans Health Care Budget Reform, a coalition which includes the following veteran service organizations:

• AMVETS, Blinded Veterans Association,
• Disabled American Veterans,
• Jewish War Veterans,
• Military Order of the Purple Heart,
• Paralyzed Veterans of America,
• The American Legion,
• Veterans of Foreign Wars,
• and Vietnam Veterans of America.

My friend and counterpart in the House of Representatives, House Veterans' Affairs Committee Chairman Robert Filner, is introducing a companion bill for advance funding as well.

We are united in our determination to set down a marker for future action on veterans' health care through this bill, - and place advance appropriations for veterans' health care on the national agenda.

I urge all of our colleagues to join as supporters of more secure, timely funding for veterans' health care.

Thank you Mr. President.

I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill appear in the Record.