As President Talks Healthcare, House Says Yes to Advance Funding for VA

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Tuesday, June 23rd, 2009

Follow IAVA on Twitter @IAVAPressroom

NEW YORK–Today, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA), the nation’s first and largest non-partisan, nonprofit organization representing veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, applauded the House for passing the Veterans Health Care Budget Reform and Transparency Act (H.R. 1016). This critical legislation will provide timely, predictable funding for veterans’ health care by authorizing Congress to approve a health care budget for the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) at least one year in advance:

“Today, as the President committed to overhauling the nation's healthcare system, Congress took an important step in reforming the way the VA is funded. Advance appropriations means an end to years of late budgets, and the rationing of care for our country's veterans. This is a sound investment in the future of veterans' healthcare that will benefit millions of American heroes,” said IAVA Executive Director Paul Rieckhoff. “IAVA salutes Speaker Pelosi and Chairman Filner for their leadership, and representatives from both sides of the aisle for their support. We look forward to working with the Senate to ensure this bill reaches the President's desk.”

Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (www.IAVA.org) is the country's first and largest nonprofit, nonpartisan organization for veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and has more than 125,000 veteran members and civilian supporters nationwide. Its mission is to improve the lives of this country's newest generation of veterans and their families.