March 9, 2001
House VA Committee Recommends Increase of $2.1 Billion for VA
The House Veterans Affairs Committee March 6 approved a recommendation to the House Budget Committee for an increase of $2.1 billion for VA discretionary spending, $1.525 billion of which would be for VA medical care. The president's budget request provides an increase of $1 billion for VA. Chairman Chris Smith (R-N.J.) said the president's proposal would "just about keep veterans health care even [with current year services]." Under the committee's plan, increases would be targeted for mental health programs, higher pharmacy costs, long-term care, staff to reduce wait times, emergency care, homeless programs and spinal cord injury programs.
Information: Jonathan Fishburn, AAMC Office of Governmental Relations, 202-828-0525.
