Steve Buyer: “The increasing cost of energy is affecting every sector of American life, including the services provided by the…”

“The increasing cost of energy is affecting every sector of American life, including the services provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs, which we are not immune to the effects of high fuel prices. Yet, our colleagues, it appears the chairman of the Veterans' Affairs committee, that is so upset now that I am talking about the increase in energy and its impact on the quality of care we can deliver in health care, are not providing the relief on energy costs. We should be looking at ways to reduce the energy burden on the VA. So when I look at the energy baseline in 2003 in the VA on energy costs and its impact on how we can provide quality health care to our veterans, that baseline was $287.7 million. Today, that energy baseline--actually, my numbers are of 2007--was $475.5 billion. That is a 65 percent increase in VA utility expenses. So with regard to the Speaker's counsel to me that I can talk about energy prices in the VA so long as there is a proper nexus, well, I think if we are talking about a 65 percent increase in fuel prices and its impact upon the VA and how we will be able to deliver not only quality research but also quality health care at our epileptic centers, I think is a pretty important issue.”