VA seeks $975m for shortfall
GOP rushes to fill healthcare gap
WASHINGTON -- Veterans Affairs Secretary Jim Nicholson yesterday asked lawmakers for an extra $975 million for veterans' healthcare this year to fill a politically awkward shortfall disclosed last week.
''It is clear that many members of Congress and veterans groups continue to have concerns," Nicholson told the House Veterans' Affairs Committee after stating that the department could have covered the shortfall by juggling money among accounts.
The Bush administration planned to quickly deliver paperwork requesting the supplemental appropriation, and House Republicans prepared to assemble and pass a spending package before the end of the day.
The GOP rushed to fill the healthcare deficit and cut off continuous criticism from Democrats, who said the VA should have acted much earlier to make sure veterans get adequate care.
The spending request covers unexpectedly high healthcare demands and energy costs, and helps VA facilities send veterans to private doctors when their waiting lists get too long.
Nicholson faced testy lawmakers, who said they had no intention of letting the VA poach its other accounts to cover immediate healthcare expenses.
''This is certainly a problem and definitely a crisis," said Representative Lane Evans, an Illinois Democrat.
The Senate voted unanimously on Wednesday to give the VA an extra $1.5 billion this year to cover the health care shortfall and more, letting the department carry any unused money into next year.
The VA let lawmakers know last week that unexpectedly high health care demands meant they would have to draw on other accounts to cover roughly $1 billion in extra healthcare expenses this year.
Nicholson had said the department would be able to use about $400 million set aside for budgetary emergencies and about $600 million for maintenance.
Most of the deficit stems from surprisingly high demand for healthcare from veterans who fought during all combat eras. The VA also underestimated the number of veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan, which accounts for a portion of the deficit. 