John Bel Edwards: “the fact that there is a funding crisis in VA hospitals this year to the tune of $1 billion should be a surprise to no…”

“the fact that there is a funding crisis in VA hospitals this year to the tune of $1 billion should be a surprise to no one. On March 23, 2004, the legislative directors of the Disabled American Veterans, the Paralyzed Veterans of America, and the Veterans of Foreign Wars said that passage of the budget resolution as presented would be a disservice to those men and women who serve this country and who are currently serving in Iraq, Afghanistan, and around the world in the fight against terrorism. The bottom line is, this House on a partisan basis, through the budget resolution, has underfunded VA medical care. Veterans groups knew it, Democrats in this body knew it, Democrats in the other body knew it. In fact, I made a specific effort in the emergency appropriation bill for Iraq to get additional funding for VA hospitals this year, but was rebuffed by the House leadership that said that money was not necessary. As the gentleman from Wisconsin has pointed out, that money is necessary. We have a crisis. It is inexcusable for the leadership of the Veterans Administration to testify just a few months ago, 2 months ago, that they did not need any extra money to provide adequate health care for veterans. Now, just 60 days later, they admit there is a $1 billion crisis in funding. We need to find out why the VA misled the Congress; and, most importantly, we need to address this problem.…”