Rick Lazio: “The President's budget, as we all know, would have resulted in dramatic reductions in health care services for many…”

“The President's budget, as we all know, would have resulted in dramatic reductions in health care services for many parts of the country. I have met with constituents in many different areas of New York State who rely on this for their primary health care. I have heard the struggles that they have had in times of declining resources. I appreciate, perhaps as much as anybody in this House, the leadership that the chairman has shown in crafting the bill that now contains the largest increase in veterans medical care in 20 years. I am concerned, however, to learn that the veterans in my district may not share in this historic increase. Of the $1.7 billion increase, veterans in my region may receive as little as $6 million over FY 1999. The North Port Medical Center, which supports veterans from my district and throughout Long Island, may still have a shortfall of millions of dollars. This shortfall would be the third consecutive year for reductions to this VISN, compounding the health care concerns of my constituents who have already experienced it with an increasing demand on services like treatment for hepatitis C and long-term health care. Mr. Chairman, I believe this bill was intended to provide sufficient funding for all regions of the country to avoid cuts in services to veterans.”