Tim Hutchinson: “I rise today in support of H.R. 4013, the Veterans' Health Programs Improvements Act of 1994. This bill would provide…”

“I rise today in support of H.R. 4013, the Veterans' Health Programs Improvements Act of 1994. This bill would provide the Secretary of Veterans Affairs with greatly needed flexibility in staffing the Veterans Health Administration. When the administration submitted its budget proposal, they requested a level of funding substantially below what it had previously stated would maintain 'current services' to veterans. On top of that, the Veterans Health Administration was required to absorb an unprecedented reduction in total employment as part of the government-wide FTE reductions. These reductions will not only undermine the VA's ability to position itself for an era of health care reform, but will foster inefficiency. Without a restoration of FTE, the VA will have to cut services or delay provision of services at the very time when efforts should be made to expand services and improve their quality. Perhaps the most important justification for our attempts to improve the VA health care system, however, is our commitment to our Nation's veterans who risked their lives fighting for our country.”