FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 19, 2004
Contact: Josh Freed
(202) 225-4431

WASHINGTON, DC – A new study requested by Democratic Floor Whip Diana DeGette (CO-01) found that an estimated 14,900 Colorado veterans would lose or be forced out of Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) health care programs under President Bush’s proposed 2005 budget.

The report, released today by the minority staff of the U.S. House Government Reform Committee’s Special Investigation Division, found that changes to the VA health care programs proposed in the President’s budget would eliminate care or significantly raise costs, making care unaffordable, for 14,900 Colorado veterans including an estimated 7,130 in the Denver area.

“America has asked its soldiers to make enormous sacrifices to keep us safe. In return, we as a nation have an obligation to provide our veterans and future veterans with quality health care,” said Rep. DeGette. “At a time when soldiers – future veterans – are wounded in combat on a daily basis and our aging Korean and World War II vets require increased care, we must redouble our commitment to providing them with health care. Instead, President Bush once again has slashed veterans’ benefits while trying to distract us by draping himself in the flag. This is disrespectful to everyone who has worn the uniform.”

Overall, the VA provided care for more than 89,000 veterans in Colorado in 2003. The report found that increased costs for VA health care in the President’s budget proposal would force an estimated 12,700 Colorado veterans, including 2,400 in active treatment, to end their participation in the system. The budget would also continue to freeze enrollment for the “Priority 8” veterans. This would prevent more than 2,100 veterans in Colorado, including 1,030 in the Denver area, from receiving care at VA facilities in the state. Denver area veterans who remain in the VA system could see their costs for care rise as much as $350 to $550 annually.

The President’s budget proposed spending $28.3 billion for veterans’ health care in 2005. While this is a nominal increase from 2004, it fails to keep pace with increasing enrollment in the VA system and inflation of medical costs. The Paralyzed Veterans of America called the President’s proposal “woefully inadequate.” Secretary of Veterans Affairs Anthony Principi acknowledged that the budget was $1.2 billion short of what his department required for 2005.

View the Government Reform Committee report on cuts to veterans benefits. (pdf file requires Adobe Acrobat)
 

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