February 22, 2010

As our nation closes in on a decade of sustained combat operations, another 30,000 American troops are bound for Afghanistan, even as others are poised to be withdrawn from Iraq. In any event, the mounting workload for the VA is expected to increase for the foreseeable future.

It is amid this growing demand on the VA that the DAV and other veterans organizations have presented Congress and the administration a highly detailed package of budget and program recommendations relating to all facets of veterans’ care and benefits. “As we have for the 24th consecutive year, the DAV, AMVETS, Paralyzed Veterans of America and the Veterans of Foreign Wars have produced The Independent Budget, which is viewed as one of the most significant and respected blueprints for meeting the needs of America’s veterans,” said National Legislative Director Joseph A. Violante.

“The Independent Budget is revered by lawmakers on Capitol Hill and policy makers throughout the VA,” said National Adjutant Arthur H. Wilson. “Along with our partners, we paint a straight, bright line from where the VA is today to where it needs to be in the near term.” Additionally, more than 60 other veterans and military organizations and health care and disability advocacy groups have endorsed the recommendations.

“A lot of work by a lot of people goes into putting this document together, but the end product is so accurate and unaltered by politics that it now serves as a key guide for many as how to proceed in planning for the coming year,” Washington Headquarters Executive Director David W. Gorman said. “There is no arguing that The Independent Budget has raised, and continues to raise, the profile of veterans issues in Washington.”

The Independent Budget recommendations are based upon the coauthors’ expertise and experience concerning the resources that will be necessary to meet the needs of America’s veterans. They are the products of an extensive, comparative analysis of VA workload information and carefully reviewed medical and administrative cost data.

“Through The Independent Budget, we have identified a broad spectrum of policy challenges facing veterans and their families,” Violante said. “We are addressing the massive claims backlog and many, many issues in veterans health care. Pointing out the problems is just one part; The Independent Budget also offers ways to solve those problems.”

These recommendations are designed to meet the needs of the thousands of young veterans currently serving in America’s armed services who soon will require from VA the health care and financial benefits that they have earned, as well as the needs of the millions of veterans from previous conflicts and service who currently depend on VA.

A major focus of The Independent Budget is the VA’s claims system and the projected need for an increase of about 12 percent in funding for the Veterans Benefits Administration. Also provided are a host of proposals aimed at the VA that will lead to improving the timeliness and accuracy of the claims adjudication process.

“There must be a real plan implemented before VA’s claims system becomes further mired in its own red tape and ultimately collapses under its own weight,” Violante said. “Veterans and their families deserve prompt decisions. VA must avoid further delay and move forward to meet its obligations in a timely manner.”

The VA is facing growing demand for services as America’s veterans age and medical treatment and administrative costs spiral upward. In addition to the rapidly growing number of new disabled veterans, almost 40 percent of the total veteran population is 65 years of age or older. This group of aging veterans has an increased demand for VA health care and long-term care services. These complicated age-related treatment issues make accurate financial and personnel resource forecasting difficult but more important each year.

For the first time ever, the appropriation for veterans health care is coming a year in advance. There is no plan for The Independent Budget to provide precise predictions for the 2012 health care needs due to the ongoing development in how that is to be calculated. It is important to observe this process and review the required report by the Comptroller General before doing so.

“We will gain some experience with the advance appropriations for VA health care this year, and we fully expect to be in a much better position to provide accurate projections and recommendations in the future,” Violante said. “We are very pleased to have this challenge, as it means better, timelier care for veterans and their families.”

“The Independent Budget has evolved over its two-dozen years,” Violante said. “It is no longer just a map for budgeting, it is driving legislative action and inspiring policy changes. Members of Congress look to The Independent Budget when coming up with bills. Many new bills are directly based on our recommendations, which are affecting real change for the good of veterans, their families and their survivors.”