HOUSE PASSES THE VETERANS’ HEALTHCARE SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATIONS ACT

HOUSE PASSES OF H.R. 3130, THE VETERANS’ HEALTHCARE SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATIONS ACT

Congress will keep it’s promise to America’s Veterans 

Washington, D.C. Tonight, the House passed H.R. 3130, the Veterans’ Healthcare Supplemental Appropriations Act.  This bill will provide the necessary $975 million to fund the VA for fiscal year 2005.  At a House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs hearing earlier today, Secretary of Veterans Affairs Jim Nicholson notified Congress that the administration is requesting $975 million in additional funds for veterans’ healthcare. In response, Chairman Steve Buyer (R-IN) called on Congress to pass a fiscal year 2005 veterans’ funding supplemental.  

With these funds, the VA will continue offering the high-quality healthcare America’s veterans have earned, said Chairman Buyer.   

The $975 million supplemental will include:

$273 million to fund healthcare for returning Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom veterans, including members of the Guard and Reserve.

$226 million to continue funding the shared federal and state VA long-term care nursing home program.

$200 million to fund unanticipated increases in the healthcare for priority-group 1-6 veterans.

$95 million to fund unanticipated energy, fuel and utility costs.

$84 million to buy emergency medical equipment.

$39 million to pay for the increase in healthcare benefits for dependants of 100-percent service-connected veterans as the need has increased at a rate greater than expected.

Secretary Nicholson said the administration will reassess the fiscal year 2005 budget and in the near future submit an amended veterans’ budget for fiscal year 2006.

More information about hearings, legislation, and other activities of the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs can be found on our award-winning Website: www.veterans.house.gov