Maurice Hinchey: “Mr. Chairman, it is bad enough that the veterans health care budget submitted by the Bush Administration is woefully…”

“Mr. Chairman, it is bad enough that the veterans health care budget submitted by the Bush Administration is woefully inadequate to meet the needs of our veterans across the country, but because of the computer formula known as VERA, veterans in New York and other States will suffer disproportionately. VERA and the inadequate funding levels in this bill will guarantee cuts in health care for many veterans across the country. While VERA purports to provide equitable health care in all regions, without question it has lowered the quality of care in many places. VERA is not equitable or fair to veterans in many parts of the country. Since 1995, in the Hudson Valley Health Care System, area which serves part of New York, we have seen the following: there has been a cut in the number of employees by 34 percent; beds have been cut by 52 percent; while the number of unique patients has increased by 76 percent; and the number of visits has increased by 84 percent. Despite increasing enrollment, our share of resources continues to shrink under VERA.”