Darlene Hooley: “our veterans have made great personal sacrifices, and members of Congress have a responsibility to serve our retired…”

“our veterans have made great personal sacrifices, and members of Congress have a responsibility to serve our retired military personnel, just as they served our country. But the needs of our veterans are not being met. Funding for medical care per veteran has steadily declined in constant dollars over the past decade while the number of veterans seeking health care has increased. This bill includes a $1.4 billion increase for veterans' health care from last year. Yet even this increase is woefully inadequate. This bill is still $1.8 billion less than the amount promised in the House budget resolution and will do little to improve timely access to much-needed medical care. In Oregon, the cost of medical care rose 7 percent last year, and the number of veterans seeking VA services rose 17 percent. And the number of veterans using the VA will only continue to increase. We must provide VA with the funds they need to provide veterans with the health care they deserve. This bill does not keep pace with hospital inflation or the growth in the numbers of veterans enrolled. It is plain that the VA-HUD Appropriations bill will not meet veterans needs. Without adequate funds for the VA, our veterans will continue to wait in long lines at overburdened facilities.”