As the VFW Commander-in-Chief Edward S. Banas has commented:
"The DVA [Department of Veterans Affairs] has been chronically
under-funded for decades, yet thousands of dedicated medical
professionals see to it that millions of veterans receive high-quality
DVA health care annually at 162 hospitals across the country." (link)
Currently, the VA (The Department of Veterans Affairs)
is coping with increasing demand, both from new veterans from Iraq and
Afghanistan as also from veterans now relying on VA benefits because of
the economic downturn. According to the OMB report:
"more veterans are seeking VA medical care services... This
increased demand has put pressure on VA's ability to care for its
core-mission veteran population (military disabled, lower income, and
those with special needs such as spinal cord injuries)."
Although the overall VA budget (as well as discretionary spending
for the VA) has gone up every year, budget increases are simply not
keeping up with this increase in demand.
Early this year, changes at the VA as well as the Bush
Administration's projected 2005 budget led to a storm of controversy.
As the Washington Post
reported in March, veterans groups have strongly criticized these new
policies and the planned budget. As yet, the budget has not been
introduced to Congress.
Here are some of the major issues that have concerned veterans groups.
Inadequate Increases in VA Health Care Budget
The VA's Under Secretary testified last year that the VA health care
system needs a 13-14% increase annually to maintain the services they
provide now. The Administration request of $27.4 billion for 2005
provided for an increase of about 1% over the last year, and fell $2.9
billion short of the amount recommended by veterans groups (including
AMVETS, the VFW, Paralyzed Veterans of America, and Disabled American
Veterans) in their Independent Budget. (See the Administration and
vets' groups budget numbers side-by-side here.) Following the Bush Administration's announcement, the House Committtee on Veteran's Affairs released a bipartisan plan
calling for at least $2.5 billion more than the Administration
proposal. On Feb. 4th, 2004, VA Secretary Anthony Principi admitted to
a House Committee that he had asked for "1.2 billion more than I
received." (link)
New Drug Co-Pays and Annual Fees
For veterans who are currently paying a small pharmacy co-pay (7$
per month per prescription), the co-pay would rise to $15. In addition,
these vets would have to pay a $250 annual fee.
New Eligibility Requirements
As of January, 2004, the VA has also announced new rules that exclude hundreds of thousands of vets whose incomes are now considered too high to qualify
for benefits. The income threshold depends on where a vet lives, but
ranges between about $26,000 and $40,000 per year. The VA has not
pushed any enrolled vets out of the system, but veterans who now wish
to enroll will be subject to the new rules.
Hospital Closures
The VA is planning a number of hospital closures as part of a larger
"restructuring" plan. Originally, the VA intended to close at least 7
hospitals, but outrage from veterans groups led to a revision of the
plan by an independent commission. Now, only three hospitals are slated
for closure, and two new hospitals are planned in Nevada and in Florida.
However, some smaller clinics are also going to be closed or cut down.
Some of these clinics are underserved. But other cutbacks, like those
at the clinic in Saginaw, Michigan, have angered local politicians and veterans groups. Read the article in USA Today or the AP story for details of specific clinic closures.
What about next year?
There is some speculation that the already stretched VA may be up
for cuts next year, according to White House documents released in May.
These planned cuts were covered by CNN.
What should be done for the VA?
Mandatory Funding of Health Benefits: Currently, VA health benefits
are part of the VA's discretionary spending. This means that the
federal government is not obliged to provide enough money for veterans'
health benefits. When the federal money is inadequate, the states are
left with the bill. Click here
to see the funding gap in your state. Making funding for health
benefits mandatory would ensure that the VA's budget would always cover
the demand. Bills have been introduced in both the House (H.R. 2318) and the Senate (S. 50) to make this possible.
Increased Funding: Click here to
view the recommended Independent Budget proposed by AMVETS, the VFW,
Paralyzed Veterans of America, and Disabled American Veterans, and
endorsed by 30 other groups, including Vietnam Veterans of America, the
Military Order of the Purple Heart and at least 15 medical
organizations.
What can you do?
The next step is to spread the word. Encourage your friends to learn about the issues. Click here to spread the word about Operation Truth.
Stripping Off In The Name Of Art
Makes me think of those dreams I used to have where I'd go to school in my underwear . . . or less.
When
Yve Ngoo announced she was going to take part in this culturally
historic event, reactions ranged from "are you mad?" to "you pervert".
Even her mother feared she could suffer some sort of post traumatic
stress disorder - and be blighted by flashbacks for the rest of her
life. But all she wanted to do was experience what thousands of people
across the world had previously done - take part in a Spencer Tunick
installation.
What I had signed myself up for didn't really hit home
until I received the lengthy email containing my consent form, which
included the demands for sobriety and the banning of socks, hats and
sunglasses.
Once undressed you had to leave your clothes,
possessions and dignity in an unidentifiable plastic carrier bag in the
middle of a car park.
After maybe 30 minutes, Spencer Tunick and his crew
welcomed us, addressing the crowds via megaphone, whilst perched
precariously on a step-ladder.
Spencer explained the "set ups". These would involve
walking three abreast (if you can have three breasts) across the
magnificent Millennium Bridge, along the Newcastle Quayside, up
historic Dean Street across the Swing Bridge, along the side of the
Sage Gateshead to return to the car park.
Getting naked
At advantageous points that would take in the exciting
and the fantastic surroundings of regenerated Quays, we would be asked
to stop and pose.
You could sense tension, excitement and apprehension in the air. There was also a final rush for the loos.
Finally, Spencer, spoke the words we all waited for: "OK, you can get naked now".
Everyone started stripping, very rapidly, as if it were a race - men were particularly quick at disrobing.
I took off my sweat top and jogging bottoms. I was naked.
Other naked people were appearing everywhere, some
balancing on one leg trying to remove socks and shoes without bending
over. I didn't look at either of my friends.
In less than two minutes, only naked bodies were
visible. People started looking at each other, friends and strangers,
seeing their bodies totally uncovered in the diffused early morning
light, in a Gateshead car park!
Dunkirk spirit
Then people began to whoop and cheer, laughing and talking like nothing had happened. Tunick had to call for quiet.
To be surrounded by hundreds of naked people is an
awesome, overwhelming sight. So many different shapes and sizes, in
varying hues, blending into a uniform mass.
Then we all started walking towards the bridge. The only people clothed were Spencer, his crew, security and the police.
When you're surrounded by total nudity in all its diversity, inhibitions gradually become less.
We dutifully fell into rank - full of the Dunkirk
Spirit, we marched triumphantly from Gateshead to Newcastle across the
magnificent Millennium Bridge to embark on cultural expedition that
would affect each and every one of us.
Three hours later, and it was a bit sad to dress again,
People dressed slowly - some holding onto their precious naked moment
as long as legally possible.
It was just after 7.30 am, and Newcastle Gateshead was beginning to wake up to lazy sunny Sunday morning.
Attention Homeland security and Police Security types. Don't you
realize this is a foolproof new method for avoiding suicide bombers.
These people could be commuters safe and without fear on their way to
work! A second benefit would also be protection against
pickpockets and pursesnackers. Wouldn't it also be great for the
sales of suntan-in-a-bottle and sunglasses.
As the VFW Commander-in-Chief Edward S. Banas has commented: 
