House Republicans pass VA funding plan for fiscal 2016

SPC Jan Allbright, M.Sc., R.S. — Mon, 04 May 2015 10:26:05 -0400

"But it comes in $1.4 billion under what the White House had requested for VA spending in fiscal 2016, money that department officials say will stymie construction efforts and reduce some medical care access."

http://www.militarytimes.com/story/veterans/2015/05/01/house-pass-va-budget/26691403/

The plan would boost VA funding by 2.5 percent, but White House officials have said that isn't enough to meet needs.

Response by LTC Stephen F. made May 4 at 2015 10:41 AM

LTC Stephen F. — Mon, 04 May 2015 10:41:19 -0400

Well, I am thankful that the US House is taking the initiative on many fronts. In these matters I tend to trust the US House's approach over the White Houses. They both have agendas; but, I believe the Houses’ agenda is general closer to the voters of their respective districts.
Unfortunately, the way Federal Budgets are built up tends to have varying amounts of fluff - some important items have projected cots that amount to "POM dust." While the items with well thought out names tend to be very expensive and provide varying amounts of actual benefit to taxpayers or intended recipients.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 4 at 2015 2:30 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 04 May 2015 14:30:58 -0400

Two things are fairly clear in all this:

1. Democrats are more willing to fund the VA than Republicans.

2. Neither party is willing to eliminate the massive backlogs veterans face when it comes to receiving care. Our veterans deserve better, they deserve immediate care... not signing up for a waiting list to get on the waiting list to get the care they need. VA funding should be adequate to pay for sending veterans to civilian doctors immediately until the current backlog has been eliminated.

Response by PO1 John Miller made May 4 at 2015 11:06 PM

PO1 John Miller — Mon, 04 May 2015 23:06:08 -0400

All well and great but will this reduce wait times at the VA?

Response by SSG Trevor S. made May 4 at 2015 11:09 PM

SSG Trevor S. — Mon, 04 May 2015 23:09:12 -0400

Just so you know, $1.4 billion is 0.8% of the requested budget. It is also a 6% increase from what the budget was for the VA last year. Now that I stirred that pot....

Response by SFC William Swartz Jr made May 5 at 2015 9:22 AM

SFC William Swartz Jr — Tue, 05 May 2015 09:22:43 -0400

Touchy subject, but when I see that VA employees still receive annual bonuses when you have a backlog of claims, slow "customer service" times for individuals that need the care and or assistance, I can not get upset by a funding bill that appears to be lower than what the White House wishes for. The VA has been underfunded for years, under both Republican and Democratic White Houses and Congresses so blaming one party or another is kind of childish IMO. Efficiency within the VA itself and a simplification of some of the rules within it, would ensure that more veterans that need care would receive the care. SSG Private RallyPoint Member you made a personal choice to take advantage of what was provided to you by your service to ensure that you were prepared for the next phase /career of your life after service, and are to be applauded for that. But, like PO2 Ed C. states, you made that choice, one which is available to everyone serving, whether it be 3-4 years or 26-years like myself, if an individual chooses not to utilize the programs available to be more successful, that is not a failure of the VA or a funding problem, it is a personal problem. SPC Allbright, the veterans that are so severely injured/handicapped/traumatized still have other VA programs available to them besides the GI Bill, if they choose to utilize them or not, again that is a personal choice, and talking about this issue with my father-in-law, a partially disabled Vietnam Vet gives me a little insight into the issue. We need to look beyond "throwing more money" at "problems" and see what the real issue at hand is, from everything I have seen or read about the issues with the VA, it is the lack of efficiency and at the same time in some cases a lack of caring and empathy by individuals within the VA itself that is the problem.

Response by LTC Stephen F. made May 5 at 2015 10:13 AM

LTC Stephen F. — Tue, 05 May 2015 10:13:06 -0400

I haven't forgot the VA building project scandals that made news last year. The Federal construction process is generally slow - 7 years funding cycle which is why new construction occurs on bases that have been targeted to close in the BRAC process.
The VA building projects managed directly by the VA are not generally efficiently run - example the VA hospital in Denver which experienced significant cost overruns yet was only 50% complete by the target date.
Frequently, it makes more sense to hire professionals for building design, construction, etc. It rarely if ever makes sense to expect government bureaucrats to run projects efficiently and effectively.
Congress has been "throwing" money at perceived and real problems for many years. Some programs do well but most need local or regional adult leadership to make them work well.