From the Office of Senator Kerry

Wednesday, March 24, 1999

Washington, DC - Senator John F. Kerry (D-MA) led the Massachusetts delegation today in warning the Administration of an impending health care crisis for veterans in Massachusetts and asking for a significant increase the Veterans Affairs (VA) health care budget. Without action, the current veterans budget situation threatens the quality and availability of health care services for the 600,000 veterans in Massachusetts.

The Department of Veterans is facing the fourth consecutive year of receiving a flat-lined budget for VA Health care services. The delegation appealed to Office and Management and Budget Direct Jack Lew and VA Secretary Togo West to request an increase in VA health care funding. Massachusetts has been forced to absorb a significant budget cut as part of the VA's effort to reorganize the way it delivers health care services.

Kerry also today joined as a co-sponsor of an amendment that would increase funding in the budget for Veterans Affairs by $3 billion in fiscal year 2000. The amendment is expected to be offered on the Senate floor today by Senator Tim Johnson (D-SD).

Senator Kerry said, "We owe a debt to the men and women who served our nation. We can and must repay this debt with reliable, consistent, and high quality medical care. The lack of available funding is severely affecting VA health care services in Massachusetts and threatens to become worse in the future - we cannot allow this trend to continue."

Senator Edward M. Kennedy said, "We are committed to ensuring that the government keeps its promise of lifetime health care for the men and women of our armed forces. The needs of our military retirees must be fully and fairly met. Additional funding for VA facilities is essential to ensure that veterans in Massachusetts and across the country receive the high quality care they deserve.

Rep. Joe Moakley said, "The budget for veteran health care is about 3 billion less than what we need to get American veterans the services they have earned. These people risked their lives for this country and we, as a nation, must honor the commitment we made to take care of them."

"I am proud to stand with Senator Kerry and the rest of the Massachusetts delegation on behalf of adequate health care for our veterans. Platitudes aren't enough - we need to take concrete action to ensure that veterans receive the best health care we can provide," stated Rep. Jim McGovern.

"Many veterans and veterans service providers in my district have been adversely impacted by the funding cuts over the last four years," said Rep. John W. Olver. "They have served our country honorably in our times of need, and now we must serve them in their time of need."

Rep. John Tierney said, "It is truly regrettable that funding for veterans health care continues to be squeezed. Every year we have had to struggle to make sure that veterans receive necessary health benefits. It is time to stop the hemorrhaging of federal funds in this area, and provide the level of support that our veterans richly deserve."

Rep. Marty Meehan, who serves on the House Armed Services Committee, said, "Massachusetts is under a critical budget strain as it enters the fourth consecutive year of having had the greatest cuts within the region. If we are forced to absorb similar budget cuts in the coming fiscal year we may not be able to continue to provide the high quality medical care and attention our veterans so rightfully deserve."

Rep. Edward Markey added, "During the House Budget Committee mark-up of the Fiscal Year 2000 Budget Resolution, Democrats offered, and I voted for, an amendment to boost funding for veterans health care for 2000 and beyond - every Republican voted against the amendment. Our veterans deserve better."

"We cannot continue to level fund the Veterans Affairs health care budget without risking the range and quality of the services offered in Massachusetts. This lack of sufficient funds will surely impact our ability to provide quality health care services," stated Rep. Michael Capuano.

On March 1, 1998, the Massachusetts delegation joined over70 Senators and Members in requesting adequate funds for VA Healthcare in the President's budget for fiscal year 2000. This request went unheeded and the VA health care budget remains at $18.1 billion, even though Veterans Affairs has proposed five new programs estimated at $600 million.

-30-