Tuesday, April 15, 2003
Veterans Health Care

Proposed Restrictions on Access to VA Health Care

In February 2003, President Bush released his proposed budget for the Department of Veterans Affairs for fiscal year 2004. The budget would halt enrollment in VA health care for many veterans, denying them access to any VA care. In addition, the budget would charge other veterans who are currently in the VA system a $250 annual enrollment fee and increase co-payments for doctor’s visits and prescription drugs. The budget narrowly passed by the House of Representatives and the Senate on April 11, 2003, adopted these proposals. A series of Special Investigation Division reports analyze the local impact of these changes.