For the first time in decades, Congress has allocated funding levels for the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) that are in line with the recommendations of many veterans organizations, including VetsFirst.
The Military Construction and Veterans Affairs and Related Agencies appropriations bill was part of an multi-agency funding bill that included five other appropriations bills for fiscal year 2010. Fiscal year 2010 began on October 1. Through continuing resolutions, Congress continued the funding for the VA at fiscal year 2009 levels, while attempting to pass the fiscal year 2010 budget.
The fiscal year 2010 VA funding bill provides a needed increase in funding of $15.3 billion over the previous spending year. Mandatory veterans benefit programs, such as VA disability compensation, are funded at $56.6 billion. Discretionary spending, which includes the VA health care system, is funded at $53 billion.
In an important victory, the fiscal year 2010 budget includes advance appropriations of $48.2 billion for fiscal year 2011. Advance appropriations represent a significant shift in the VA funding process that will allow the VA to ensure that health care for veterans is not disrupted due to delays in passing new funding legislation. It will also provide a level of certainty concerning future funding levels that will allow the VA to plan for long-term funding needs. VetsFirst has been a strong advocate for advance appropriations because it will ensure that the VAs will be able to meet the needs of veterans from all eras.
Just the Facts:
H.R. 3288 is the omnibus appropriations bill that includes six of the 13 appropriations bills that must be passed each year, including the bill that funds the VA. The House passed the omnibus on December 10, 221-202 and the Senate on December 13, 57-35. The President signed the bill on December 16, 2009.
Heather Ansley
The VetsFirst Team