Historic Veterans' Legislation, New Survey Released by DAV

This is an historic time for veterans. As the New York Times reported on Friday, there is a major effort underway in Congress to properly fund VA health care in a timely and predictable manner.  The Veterans’ Affairs Committee Chairmen in the House and Senate introduced a bill last Thursday that directs Congress to authorize funds to the VA in advance of the fiscal year, much the same way Congress finances the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) and Section 8 housing programs. Funding for 2010, for instance, would have to be approved this year. Currently, funding for VA health care is haphazard, late, and subject to partisan games. Nine VSOs, representing eight million veterans, praised Members of Congress for their bipartisan leadership on this issue. Veterans’ Affairs Committee Chairmen Daniel Akaka and Bob Filner also issued statements on the new legislation.      The Disabled American Veterans released a new survey supporting these efforts in Congress. The poll showed that 83 percent of Americans favor requiring Congress to determine the budget for veterans’ health care one year in advance to prevent delays.  And three quarters of the public think the federal government should be doing more to support military veterans.  Complete results of the survey can be viewed here.