http://releases.usnewswire.com/GetRelease.asp?id=61589WASHINGTON, Feb. 28 /U.S. Newswire/ -- For the second time in a week, the Bush Administration will deliver a major address to the nation's largest veterans' group the day after the Associated Press revealed drastic cuts to veterans' benefits in the President's budget. Vice President Dick Cheney addressed the American Legion's annual convention today, one day after the Associated Press reported that "draconian" cuts in the Bush budget will mean that "at least tens of thousands of veterans" will face "delayed or even denied care" in coming years. (Associated Press, 2/27/06)
While veterans' health care costs are skyrocketing and increasing numbers of veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan are beginning to claim benefits, President Bush proposed cutting the Veterans Administration medical system by 3 percent in 2008 and leveling funding for the following four years. This follows the news last week that President Bush has proposed fee increases that would force 600,000 veterans off TRICARE, the Pentagon's health care system. (Associated Press, 2/22/06)
"The brave men and women who have served our country deserve better than the slight of hand budget games the Bush Administration is playing with veterans' benefits," said Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean. "Vice President Cheney today failed to explain to America's veterans why the Bush Administration has consistently starved veterans' health care.
"Together, America can do better. Democrats are fighting to fully fund TRICARE and the resources required to improve combat- related trauma centers, expand VA medical and prosthetic research, and expedite the processing of benefits claims. The time has come for the Bush Administration and Republicans in Congress to join Democrats in fighting to provide America's veterans the benefits they earned defending our freedom."