BUSH REQUESTED A $93.7 BILLION FISCAL
YEAR 2009 BUDGET FOR VA, NEARLY DOUBLE
THE BUDGET WHEN HE TOOK OFFICE.
More discretionary funding for Veterans Affairs.
WASHINGTON – Honoring the nation’s commitment to care for the newest generation of combat veterans and service members from other conflicts and eras, Secretary of Veterans Affairs Dr. James B. Peake announced today President Bush is seeking a budget of $93.7 billion in fiscal year 2009 for the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), with health care and disability compensation receiving most of the funding.
If Congress accepts the White House’s budget request, VA’s budget would be $3.4 billion more than the current spending level and nearly double the budget in effect when President Bush took office seven years ago.
“This budget builds on VA’s past successes in providing veterans with timely, accessible delivery of high-quality benefits and services earned through their sacrifice and service in defense of freedom,” Peake said.
The FY ‘09 budget proposal calls for $47.2 billion in discretionary funding, mostly for health care. It also would provide $46.4 billion in mandatory funding for compensation, pension, educational assistance, home loan guaranties and other benefit programs.
Peake said the budget proposal will provide funding to ensure high-quality care to VA’s highest priority patients -- veterans of the Global War on Terror, those with service-connected disabilities, lower-income veterans, and veterans with special health care needs.
Under the new budget, VA will strengthen its collaboration with the Department of Defense (DoD) for world-class health care and benefits to veterans, service members and their families, including progress toward the development of secure electronic patient health care records that can be used by both departments.
