War Veterans Overloading VA

Military Dot Com ^ | 10/06/04 | staff

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War Veterans Overloading VA

Thousands of U.S. troops returning from Iraq and Afghanistan with physical injuries and mental health problems are encountering an overburdened benefits system, and officials and veterans groups worry that the challenge could grow as the nation remains at war. The disability benefits and health care systems that provide services for about 5 million American veterans have been overloaded for decades, with a current backlog of more than 300,000 claims. And as of Aug. 1, nearly 150,000 National Guard and reservist veterans became eligible for health care and benefits because they were mobilized to fight in Iraq and Afghanistan. That number is rising. President Bush's budget for 2005 calls for cutting the Department of Veterans Affairs staff that handles benefits claims, and some veterans report long waits for benefits and confusing claims decisions. Through the end of April, the most recent accounting the VA could provide, a total of 166,334 veterans of operations in Iraq and Afghanistan had separated from military service, and 26,633 - 16 percent - had filed benefits claims with the VA for service-connected disabilities. Less than two-thirds of those claims had been processed, leaving more than 9,750 recent veterans waiting. For more information, see this article. Sound Off...What do you think? Join the discussion. Or let your representatives know how you feel! Contact them directly using our legislative system!

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[Blzbba]

Cutting some $15 billion worth of veteran's medical benefits in March 2003 was the wrong part of gov't for Bush to cut.

[Eric in the Ozarks]

I don't think that's correct. The Administration has increased Veteran's spending over the past 4 years over what the Clintons spent.

[DmBarch]

I can't comment as to what part of benefits were cut, if they were lowered at all. But the VA has been forced to hang on to numerous hospitals and sites that are underused or outdated and should have been consolidated more than ten years ago. The problem is that the Congress never wants to see a veteran's facility in their district or state close down for any reason.

The wasted facility money could have gone to claim processing, expanded or new programs, or any useful cause. But someone needs the guts to get the right mix of facilities - and our money is going down the drain until that is resolved.

[Blzbba]

After doing a Google, I'm not sure what to believe...

VA Benefits slashed for Tax Cut?

[Eric in the Ozarks]

At some point, the entire VA Hospital structure needs to be investigated and overhauled. I know the US promises veterans lifetime care for wounds and injuries suffered during their service. But does this mean that care should be provided at a VA-only hospital ? Does it matter where this care is provided as long as the VA pays for it ? Do we need this separate but obviously unequal system for veterans ?

[i_dont_chat]

Now the administration is proposing that veterans, who can afford it???, pay $200+ before they see a doctor.

And who decides who can afford it? Another bureaucracy.

I can't believe we have abandoned our veterans in their hour of need.

It is the Veterans Administration: Not the Rich Veterans, or the Black Veterans, or the Terminally Ill Veterans. It is supposed to be for ALL Veterans.

The VA has been hijacked by bureaucrats who care more building large, beautiful hospitals and beautiful grounds, than they care for providing health-care for vets.

[cynicom]

Bush is right behind the vets, way behind.