WASHINGTON — Veterans programs would see dramatic funding increases under the White House’s proposed fiscal 2010 budget, including more money to focus on the health needs of recent combat veterans and mental health illnesses.
The VA will get a 15 percent increase in funds over fiscal 2009 if the president’s plan is approved. In discretionary spending, the total is $55.9 billion, an 11 percent jump from this fiscal year.
That’s the largest one-year increase in veterans spending in the last 30 years, according to Rita Reed, principal deputy assistant secretary for management at the department.
In a statement, Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric Shinseki promised a comprehensive review of all department operations to "be sure that valuable taxpayer dollars are invested in programs that work for our veterans."
Medical services — which account for more than 60 percent of the VA discretionary budget — will see a nearly $4 billion increase next year, a 13 percent jump.
Reed said with that officials are promising to ensure that 98 percent of primary care appointments are scheduled within 30 days of first request, and to add about 500,000 more Priority 8 veterans over the next five years to the list of people eligible for VA medical care.
The department will also boost funding for medical research focused on returning combat veterans ($2 billion, up 29 percent), mental health issues ($4.5 billion, up 7 percent), traumatic brain injuries ($298 million, up 16 percent) and spinal cord injuries ($497 million, up 9 percent).
The most dramatic increase, percentagewise, will be in rural health initiatives. The department will set aside $440 million to improve outreach and medical services for veterans in hard-to-reach regions, a 633 percent increase from the $60 million spent on those projects in fiscal 2009.
Reed said new administrative funding increases will allow officials to cut processing of compensation and pension claims to 150 days in 2010, down from 168 days in 2009.
The budget also includes about $70 million in new funding to help link VA and Defense Department medical records.
Last month, the White House announced plans to create a lifelong electronic medical record for all servicemembers, allowing their medical history to pass seamlessly from active-duty care to the veterans health care system.
Reed said the budget proposal does not include any new discretionary funding related to administering the new GI Bill education benefits, which go into effect in August, but the department may revisit the issue for fiscal 2011 if officials see unexpected costs later this year.
