Issues and Campaigns

Ease the Transition Home

More than 2.2 million Americans have served in Iraq or Afghanistan. When they return home, they require medical treatment, a smooth transition from DoD to the VA and support for their families.

Over half a million veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan have returned home and turned to the VA for medical care. During the past two years, Congress and the White House delivered on their solemn commitment to provide these returning veterans with the “best care anywhere” by allocating both adequate and timely funding for the VA. The VA’s funding levels have matched the recommendations of the Independent Budget for four years, and at the beginning of the 111th Congress the budget for veterans’ health care was approved two years in advance. Timely and adequate funding is essential for providing our nation’s heroes with a smooth transition home. It will put an end to the practice of rationing health care for veterans when budgets are late.

In 2009, the VA budget (containing funding for 2011) was approved late for the twenty-first time in the past twenty-four years.  In 2010, funding for the VA was not approved at all, leading to a potential government shutdown if Congress cannot agree on a budget.  Fortunately, funds for 2011 were already appropriated in advance, and VA hospitals will not have to close or ration services in the event of a government shutdown.

Funding VA health care one year in advance is vital to ensuring quality care and a seamless transition from DoD to VA care.  IAVA will fight to ensure that the VA is funded fully and in advance.

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• Video: IAVA Member Veteran Rey Leal testifies on the VA Outreach Program
• Written Transcript

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• IAVA Applauds Critical Increases in President's 2012 Budget for New Veterans