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  Freedom’s Call


 Why Do I have Difficulty Obtaining VA Health Care?



This is often a difficult problem for many veterans.  Over the next few weeks I want to
discuss a few of the reasons for this.  Funding the VA is one of the hottest topics
debated in the congress.  Last year, 2005, every National Service Organization that I
know warned there would be a funding shortfall.  This was clearly ignored by the
administration and congress. By June the VA was reporting a $3 billion shortage in
health care funds for the fiscal year 2005/2006.



Twice during the year emergency supplemental funding was necessary.  In late
August 2005 $1.5 billion was added and later $1.22 billion was added to complete
fiscal year 2005/2006.



Every year veteran’s organizations ask and fight for adequate funding for VA health
care. Every year the problem increases with too little funding for VA healthcare. The
answer seems to be an inadequate late budget and cuts made for the health care of
sick and disabled veterans.  Why should the VA health care have to compete with
lower priority federal programs?  How can the VA health care program get fully
funded?



The answer seems very simple. The correction of this problem should be the top
priority every administration and congress. We need to call or write Senator Frist and
Alexander and ask them to see that the Assured Funding for Veterans Health Care
Act ( S. 331) and the Veterans Health Care and Equitable Access Act (S. 963)
become law.  The same issue is in the House of Representatives as the Assured
Funding for Veterans Health Care Act (H.R. 515).  Please contact your elected
officials.



The brave veterans who have served our nation deserve more than a band-aid for
cancer.  These men and women who have fought from Germany to Japan, Korea,
Vietnam, Grenada, Beirut, Libya, Panama, the Persian Gulf, Afghanistan, Somalia,
and now Iraq deserve to be a priority in our budget.



Contact Freedom at: kyouse@yahoo.com