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Monday, March 17, 2003 Page: 7A
roland e. mooreThe VA continues to move forward in addressing the future
needs of our veterans. Evidence of this effort has been recently illustrated
by announcements made by the Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs,
Anthony J. Principi. The following are excerpts of a media release made by the
Secretary.
“I want to alert your readers to three recent decisions that will improve
health care for veterans in your community and across the nation. First,
President Bush will propose to Congress the largest budgetary increase for
health care in the history of the Department of Veterans Affairs. It is 7.7
percent larger than the expected fiscal year 2003 level. The President, in a
time of tough budget decisions, has again stepped up to the line on funding to
keep America’s promise to veterans.
“Second, in the annual health care enrollment decision required by law, I
announced the continuation of health care enrollment for 6.8 million veterans
in Priority Groups 1 through 7, with a suspension of enrollment for new
Priority Group 8 veterans.
“Third is a new plan between VA and the Department of Health and Human
Services for a program that will allow eligible veterans to use their Medicare
benefits for VA care.
“Together, these actions will make a significant difference to our core
constituency – the nation’s service-disabled veterans and the nation’s poorest
veterans. VA faces the largest patient load in its history, and it is
mushrooming. More than half of new enrollees are higher-income veterans
without compensable service-related medical problems. Without an enrollment
suspension, demand will outstrip our capacity in staff and resources, further
reducing our ability to serve our core constituency. These actions together
will help us maintain health care quality and continue to reduce waiting lists
for services at VA hospitals and clinics.”
At the Wilkes-Barre VA Medical Center, our mission is “To maintain and
improve veterans, health and quality of life.” We will continue to meet the
needs of our veterans and enhance the quality of the services we provide to
them.
Roland E. Moore
Director
Wilkes-Barre VA Medical Center