
The latest? Dean says that Bush is "cutting" veterans benefits. This will be another one of those situations where the budget will call for a reduction in the increase of spending...
Here is Dean's statement:
"The brave men and women who have served our country deserve better than the slight of hand budget games the Bush Administration is playing with veterans' benefits," said Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean. "Vice President Cheney today failed to explain to America's veterans why the Bush Administration has consistently starved veterans' health care.Now, here are the facts:
"Together, America can do better. Democrats are fighting to fully fund TRICARE and the resources required to improve combat- related trauma centers, expand VA medical and prosthetic research, and expedite the processing of benefits claims. The time has come for the Bush Administration and Republicans in Congress to join Democrats in fighting to provide America's veterans the benefits they earned defending our freedom."
President Bush Is Dedicated To Supporting Our Nation’s 25 Million Veterans, And His Administration Has A Record Of Accomplishment For Those Who Have Sacrificed For Our Liberty And Security. Since the President took office, the Administration has increased spending for veterans by $24 billion – a total of 53 percent. In the President's first four years in office, spending for veterans increased twice as much as it did in the eight years of the previous Administration.As usual, Dean won't let the facts get in the way of a good smear...
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Health Care For Veterans Is A Top Priority. President Bush recognizes the importance of health care to veterans and has made it a priority to improve the current system. Since taking office, the President has increased the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) medical care budget by 51 percent, and these resources are being used to make real improvements for veterans. Over the past four years, the number of total outpatient visits and volume of prescriptions filled have increased, and disability claims are being processed faster.
VA Facilities Are Being Modernized And Expanded. In the last two years, the Administration has committed more than $1.5 billion to modernizing and expanding VA facilities so that more veterans can get care closer to home. The Administration is committed to helping the veterans who fought and sacrificed for America get the quality care they deserve.
Priority Scheduling Gives Precedence To Veterans With The Greatest Needs. Treating veterans with military disabilities, lower incomes, and special needs has always been VA’s core health care mission. Under the President’s leadership, the Administration has refocused resources and implemented a priority scheduling system to ensure that returning combat veterans and core-mission veterans are first in line.
Expanded Access Allows For Long-Term Care In The Most Non-Intrusive Settings. The Administration’s budgets continue to promote non-institutional long-term care that allows veterans to live and be cared for near or in the comfort and familiar settings of their homes surrounded by their families.