February 25, 2003

VA Budget: When Good News Is Not So Good

The VA Secretary Anthony J. Principi has announced a $63.6 billion budget for 2004. This budget represents an increase of 7.7% for health care over last year. While this budget will allow the VA to maintain its focus on the health care of its core group of veterans -those with service connected disabilities, the indigent and those with special health care needs it also continues the eroding of benefits for other veterans. The proposed budget forecasts an increase in copayments for many veterans and continues the ban on enrolling category 8 veterans (with no service-related disability and income above the HUD low-income level. An annual enrollment fee for nonservice connected veterans in category 7 is also projected. The proposed budget has some positive aspects. $225 million is designated for construction projects requested as a result of the CARES initiative. Also speculated is an arrangement with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to allow veterans aged 65 or older to enroll in the VA and have Medicare pay for the service.

Secretary Principi referred to the budget as a, "generous budget proposed by President Bush…". I hope Congress realizes the shortcomings of this budget and adds enough money to maintain the reasonable copayments and once again allows all veterans to enroll in the Medical Centers. A good start for the Congress would be to appropriate the money already passed for the 2003 VA budget. According to a spokesman for the Northport VA this years budget was passed last year but so far the money has not been appropriated causing an administrative nightmare for the hospital.

CARES the VA initiative that is planning the future of the VA to the year 2022 has announced a change in recommendations for the Long Island Market Area. According to Phil Weisbrot of the VA Medical Center in Northport extra bed space has been discovered at the State Veterans Homes thereby reducing the need for an additional VA Nursing Home for Long Island. The good news remains that the VA shows continued interest in adding 3 out patient clinics to Long Island one in the Roosevelt-Freeport area, a second in the East Massapequa-Amityville area and the third near Riverhead.

February is Black History month. Secretary of Veterans Affairs Anthony J. Principi marked the occasion by unavailing an exhibit honoring African-Americans who received the Medal of Honor. Throughout February the VA is holding a series of activities highlighting the achievements of African-Americans in the military.

Senior leaders of the Department of Veterans Affairs met recently with four Ukrainian officials to discuss the benefits and programs offered by the U.S. government to its veterans. In recent months,VA has shared information about its programs with representatives of many countries including the Chech Republic, China, Jordan, Japan, Romania, South Korea, the United Kingdom and Vietnam.

Hundreds of reservists and Guardsmen have been activated lately from our area. Marines from Amityville and Garden City, soldiers from Uniondale and Jamaica have been reporting for active duty. Many have already been sent overseas. Information about the reemployment rights of Guardsmen and reservists is available at www.dol.gov/vets or at the Nassau County Veterans Service Agency.

VA Secretary Principi has urged Americans to sign a special "Thank You Note" to the men and women of the U.S. military. The note is available on the Internet at www.defendamerica.mil. This site is also the official Web site for news on the war on terrorism.

Based on the 2000 Census the VA has revised the estimated veterans population. According to the VA Nassau County now has 97,609 veterans second only to Suffolk County (110,845) in New York State. VA expenditures in Nassau County increased last year by $1,590,000 to a total of $75,578,000.

Vietnam veterans with questions or concerns about Agent Orange should contact VA's Gulf War/Agent Orange Helpline. The national toll-free telephone number is 800-749-8387. Information is also available at www.va.gov/agentorange.

North Shore Long Island Jewish Health System through Project Liberty continues to offer free services to anyone having difficulty coping with the tragic events of September 11, 2001 Call 516 571-3355.

A large epidemiological study by VA and DoD found preliminary evidence that Persian Gulf War veterans are nearly twice as likely as their nondeployed counterparts to develop Lou Gehrig's disease. The disease is a fatal neurological disease that destroys nerve cells that control muscle movement. There is no cure. For resources and information for Gulf War vets, go to www.gulflink.osd.mil/.

For information on receiving an official Cold War Recognition Certificate or the China War Memorial Medal or on any topic in this report contact me at the Nassau County Veterans Service Agency at 516 572-8452.