Legion: "Approve VA Budget Immediately"

October 1, 2009

There are currently eight million veterans enrolled in the VA health care delivery system, with nearly six million patients dependent on timely access to quality health care. There are also many ongoing medical and prosthetics research programs that depend on annual federal funding. Historically, VA administrators have often found themselves delaying maintenance projects, implementing hiring freezes, and postponing equipment and supply purchases in order to maintain medical services for American veterans and their families.

"Most Americans understand the importance of meeting the needs of the nation's wounded warriors, but there is also an ongoing obligation to generations of men and women who served honorably and earned the benefits provided by a grateful nation," Hill said. "Admittedly, the Continuing Resolution provides additional funding for VA medical accounts, but its balance does not fully fund other quality-of-life benefits for service members and their families. Therefore, passage of the FY 2010 Mil Con - VA appropriations remains a top priority for The American Legion family."

With a current membership of 2.5 million wartime veterans, The American Legion was founded in 1919 on the four pillars of a strong national security, veterans affairs, Americanism, and the mentoring of youth. Legionnaires work for the betterment of their communities through more than 14,000 posts across the nation.


-30-


Media contacts: Craig Roberts,(202) 263-2982, Cell (202) 406-0887 or Joe March, (317) 630-1253, Cell (317) 748-1926.

 

View more pressreleases