Political Quotes

“I rise in support of H.R. 4013. H.R. 4013 is an important bill that addresses a very immediate challenge confronting the VA health care system--devastating OMB work force cuts. Under the fiscal year 1995 budget, VA health care staffing must shrink by some 5,700 positions. While Administration officials testified at a recent hearing that such significant personnel cuts could be absorbed without serious impact, those charged with operating VA medical centers, and the veterans dependent on timely access to care, describe a very different reality. Personnel cuts in the VA health care system mean one thing for sure-- diminished service to its patients. While Administration officials hope to minimize the impact on direct patient care for the short term, they have no formula for avoiding severe problems over the next 4 years when they must shrink the work force by another 20,000. In February, the committee conducted a survey of all VA medical centers to gauge the impact of such cuts. The survey made it clear that at a minimum these reductions will mean sweeping bed closures, program cuts, and ever longer waiting times. They could well mean facility closures.”