Veterans Affairs coping with $1 bil shortfall as demand for services grows

Facing a $1 billion deficit in this year’s budget, Department of Veterans Affairs officials will raid operations and maintenance accounts to help pay for veterans’ basic medical care.

Secretary of Veterans Affairs Jim Nicholson promised lawmakers Tuesday that the budget shortfall will not affect veterans’ quality of care or access to doctors.

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But he added that the department is already looking at a possible $1.6 billion shortfall in fiscal 2006 as well, and said the agency is expecting an even greater growth in the number of former troops using its services next year.

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House Appropriations Committee chairman Jerry Lewis, R-Calif., said the decision not to ask for help earlier “borders on stupidity” and suggested that some officials within the department might have been trying to hide the problem.

Nicholson blamed the shortfall on outdated forecasting methods and the increased workload related to veterans of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. But he promised lawmakers the financial problems would not impact the care veterans receive, calling that the agency’s top priority.

more...


http://www.estripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=30041

house... but they love them troops

earlier this month. I posted it here...

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=1540302

but here are excerpts from that post:

Earlier, Secretary of Veterans Affairs Jim Nicholson offered a mixed reaction to a host of Democrat-sponsored bills, voicing support for general plans to improve mental health care but rebuffing most of their legislative efforts.

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Nicholson opposed a measure to expand post-war health care coverage from two years to five years, saying it would needlessly complicate the current system.

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Nicholson said his department is adequately funded.

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And then this, from ABC News, when Nicholson was just taking over his position at Veterans Affairs (I can`t find the date on this article, but Nicholson was confirmed 26, Jan. 2005, when it was obvious even THEN that Veterans Affairs was in a financial crisis:

He (Nicholson) will be taking over the Department of Veterans Affairs during a time of serious financial strain, when soldiers are returning from war and in the face of numerous budget battles.

http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/Inauguration/story?id=371875&CMP=OTC-RSSFeeds0312

Nicholson and his ilk, aka the Bushies, are enemies of veterans.

now lets see how long this idiocy continues

Most Veterans are from the lower classes

Country Club Republicans don't like the now toothless rustics who fought the nation's wars. (they do like the educated west point types)

They think the lower classes are lazy,looking for a handout and are unworthy.

Thats why they give a big "FUCK YOU" to veterans

...are sure doing the trick! When they get home, our guys and gals will look around at all the flags and ribbons on the Hummers and SUVs and they won't even notice the lack of medical care, psychological counseling, rehabilitation, and whatever else it is that a billion bucks could've bought for them.

:argh:

Hekate

:banghead::banghead::banghead::banghead::banghead::banghead::banghead::banghead::banghead::banghead::banghead::banghead::banghead::banghead::banghead: :banghead::banghead::banghead::banghead::banghead: :banghead::banghead::banghead::banghead::banghead: :banghead::banghead::banghead::banghead::banghead:

nftn

maimed is as good a bet as money in the bank.

How could they possibly not have anticipated this?