VA Health Care Funding Reform Major Victory for Veterans

WASHINGTON--(Business Wire)--
The Disabled American Veterans (DAV) today applauds President Obama for signing
the Veterans Health Care Budget Reform and Transparency Act, calling it "the
most significant legislative victory for veterans in a generation."

"This is a great, historic day for all veterans and their families," said DAV
National Commander Roberto "Bobby" Barrera, who was at the signing ceremony in
the White House. "Veterans, families, survivors and everyone else who cares
about the plight of veterans can rejoice knowing that for the first time ever,
the Department of Veterans Affairs` health care system can be assured it will be
funded on time and adequately every year."

"We have worked for this for more than two decades as veterans suffered.
Approval of advance appropriations is the most significant legislative victory
for veterans in a generation," he said. "This legislation will help ensure
timely access to medical care for the men and women who have served, are serving
and will serve in defense of our nation."

"This long overdue legislation will make a difference for every disabled veteran
and every future disabled veteran," said Commander Barrera. "This victory flows
from the effective collaboration by veterans organizations in the Partnership
for Veterans Health Care Budget Reform, The Military Coalition and a dedicated
group of former VA officials who joined our cause. Most important, this is
happening because veterans across the country, including so many DAV members and
supporters, stepped up and called on Congress to put an end to chronic funding
lapses occurring for decades. Together, we stood up for veterans, and veterans
and their families are going to benefit."

"This historic legislation will ensure an uninterrupted, predicable flow of
funds for veterans health care programs even if Congress is unable to complete
work on the rest of the federal budget by the start of a fiscal year," said DAV
National Adjutant Arthur H. Wilson. "With funding assured, VA hospital and
clinic directors will no longer have to delay the hiring of new doctors or
nurses, or the purchase of new medical equipment, due to Congress` failure to
approve a budget on time; something that has occurred in 20 of the past 23
years, including this year. With advance appropriations in place, VA officials
will be able to plan ahead how best to provide veterans with the medical care
they have earned: when and where they need it."

The Veterans Health Care Budget Reform and Transparency Act authorizes Congress
to approve veterans medical care funding one year in advance to better meet the
anticipated demand for veterans health care services. The advanced funding will
give the Department of Veterans Affairs up to a full year to plan for the most
effective and efficient way of delivering medical care. Additionally, this now
requires the Government Accountability Office to audit the budget development
process to ensure that sufficient funds are included.

The 1.2 million-member Disabled American Veterans, a non-profit organization
founded in 1920 and chartered by the U.S. Congress in 1932, represents this
nation`s disabled veterans. It is dedicated to a single purpose: building better
lives for our nation`s disabled veterans and their families. More information is
available at www.dav.org.

Disabled American Veterans (DAV)
David E. Autry, 202-314-5219

Copyright Business Wire 2009