February 11, 2009

Senator Mark Begich Co-Sponsors Veterans Health Care Reform Bill

Bill will allow more predictable funding for VA

In an effort to provide more predictable and timely funding for the Veterans Health Administration, Sen. Mark Begich is co-sponsoring The Veterans Health Care Budget Reform and Transparency Act of 2009. The bill, to be introduced in the Senate tomorrow, requires that veterans' health care be funded one-year in advance of the regular appropriations process.

"Our veterans deserve to know that they will receive the health care they need in a timely and predictable fashion. This is just one small way we can thank them for their service to our country," Sen. Begich said. "By authorizing two-year budget authority for the VA, the nation's largest health care provider will have the funding and stability to adequately plan and prepare to deliver a level of service and care that our nation's veterans so richly deserve and have so honorably earned."

The Veterans Health Care Budget Reform and Transparency Act was originally introduced in the 110th Congress by Sen. Daniel Akaka (D-HI). It is being re-introduced in the 111th Congress with Sen. Begich and several others as co-sponsors. A House version will also be introduced.

"When I was mayor of Anchorage, we implemented a two-year budget cycle for the city which made the budgeting process much more efficient and predictable. I know a similar system will work well for the VA and our veterans," Sen. Begich said.

The bill is one of four important pieces of legislation pertaining to the military and veterans that Sen. Begich, a member of the Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs, is co-sponsoring. The others are:

· The Veterans Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2009 - directs the Sec. of Veterans Affairs to increase the rates of veterans' disability compensation; dependency and indemnity compensation for surviving spouses and children; and additional related benefits.

· The Veterans Healthcare Act of 2009 - including support for general Health Care for Veterans, Women Veterans Health Care, Mental Health Care, support to Homeless Veterans, Nonprofit Research and Education Corporations, and other provisions.

· Fortifying Operational Reserve Component Efforts Act of 2009 or FORCE Act of 2009 - to improve and enhance the operations of the reserve components of the Armed Forces; to improve mobilization and demobilization processes for members of the reserve components of the Armed Forces; and provide many of the same benefits that Active Forces receive before, during and after being deployed. These include greater support for the families.

Alaska has over 70,000 veterans, many living in areas where health care delivery can be challenging.

"I am committed to seeing that we continue to explore every avenue possible to guarantee that we meet our obligations to the brave men and women who have stood up for this nation," Sen. Begich said.

From a Senator Mark Begich press release