Political Quotes

“Congress has long supported the sharing of scarce Federal health care resources between the Department of Defense (DoD) and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). In fact, Congress vested both Departments with broad authority two decades ago to do just that and has since repeatedly encouraged more effective and efficient use of this sharing authority by DoD and VA. President Bush noted in the Administration's Fiscal Year 2003 budget submission to Congress that only a negligible portion of the nation's scarce Federal health care resources are actually being shared between the two Departments. While sharing between DoD and VA exists technically, sharing remains the exception, not the rule. Without future legislation there is little reason to believe that VA and DoD will develop a culture that values mutually beneficial sharing. Until this occurs, taxpayer dollars will not be spent as effectively as possible. I commend the gentleman from New Jersey, Mr. Smith, for his leadership with this amendment. How much of what kind of sharing is possible? It is my hope that the provisions of this amendment will forge thoughtful answers to this question and achieve the goals long sought by Congress. Particularly noteworthy are the incentives endorsed in this amendment, which are intended to promote innovation and effective, new approaches to achieving the goals of sharing between DoD and VA.”