Mandatory Funding for Veterans’ Healthcare Services

Whereas, the Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) mission and motto is, “to care for him who has borne the battle, and for his widow and orphan”; and

Whereas, President George Washington stated, “The willingness with which our young people are likely to serve in any war, no matter how justified, shall be directly proportionate to how they perceive the veterans of earlier wars were treated and appreciated by their country”; and

Whereas, whenever the United States military has ever been called upon to send forces into harms way, including sons and daughters they have proudly answered the call; and

Whereas, we, as citizens of the United States of America, have promised our troops through military enlistment contracts comprehensive quality accessible healthcare for those veterans honorably discharged from The United States military past, present and future; and

Whereas, the legislative bodies of our government at all levels have recognized the importance of supporting those who serve our great country, legislation itself has fallen short of meeting the healthcare needs of our veterans. The current discretionary funding mechanisms for veterans healthcare is beset by numerous flaws preventing many veterans from receiving the quality healthcare they earned and deserve; and

Whereas, on March 16, 2006, the United States Senate voted down mandatory funding for veterans’ healthcare services (Ref: Stabenow Amendment No. 3141), which would have insured mandatory funding for our veterans’ healthcare needs (YEA 46 / NAY 54); and

Whereas, a Government Accountability Office (GAO) report in 2005 highlighted the lack of resources experienced by the Veterans Administration and its understaffed workforce as they attempt to process an increasing backlog of our veterans claims; and

Whereas, former Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Anthony Principi has publicly stated the Department of Veterans Affairs has been struggling to provide promised healthcare services to the rapidly rising number of veterans requiring healthcare services;

Therefore be it resolved, as proud citizens of this great nation we fully support mandatory funding for veterans’ healthcare services; and

Therefore be it further resolved, the United States House of Representatives and the United States Senate move to ensure that these healthcare obligations to our veterans be recognized and legislation be introduced and passed for signing by the President of the United States of America to guarantee full mandatory funding of veterans’ healthcare services; and

Therefore be it further resolved, that a suitable copy of this resolution be prepared and presented to the President of the United States, members of the United States Congress and members of the United States Senate.