Historic Day: Obama Signs Advance VA Funding into Law

Since 2004, Rey Leal has been fighting. He's fought on the streets of Fallujah; for mental health care in south Texas; and in Washington, for a solution to years of late veterans' health care budgets.

Today, Rey and millions of veterans have won their fight.

When Rey returned home from Iraq after two combat tours, he sought mental health care at his nearest VA clinic, where there was just one psychologist, taking appointments only two days a week. The psychologist only works two days because that Texas clinic, like many VA clinics and hospitals, has to stretch its funding to make sure the money lasts the whole year. They don't know how much funding they'll have next year because the VA budget is routinely passed late.

In fact, 20 out of the last 23 years, the budget has not been passed on time. This year was no exception. As of today, the VA budget is 22 days late--and counting.

For veterans, these late budgets mean the VA is forced to ration care for the almost 6 million patients whose livelihoods depend on its services. This is why Rey took his fight to Washington. The good news for vets is that Congress finally listened.

Today, President Obama signed the Veterans Health Care Budget Reform and Transparency Act into law, which authorizes Congress to approve the VA health care budget at least one year in advance. I was there at the White House today with the nation's leading veterans groups who represent all generations of veterans to witness this historic moment. With the President's signature, timely, predictable funding for veterans' health care will become the norm, VA Secretary Shinseki will be set up for success, and the VA will be forced to become a more proactive department. With today's signing, the days of massive GI Bill backlogs and playing politics with the VA budget should be gone forever.

But this is bigger than just the VA. Advance funding is a transformative way to run a government agency, and it promises to change the core of how Washington does business. This year, the only funding bill that did pass on time was the one that pays Congress's salaries. Imagine how efficient other parts of government could be if it actually knew its budget a year ahead of time?

However, this common sense solution to Washington's budget woes wasn't an easy fight. For nearly two decades, veterans' groups waged a battle to change the way the VA is funded. IAVA made it our top legislative priority for 2009, bringing dozens of Iraq and Afghanistan veterans to storm Capitol Hill back in February to push for it. And amazingly, both McCain and Obama advocated for it during the 2008 campaign; President Obama's continued support helped make this massive change a reality.

Thankfully, some real veterans' advocates in Congress had our back too. We couldn't have passed advance funding without its champions, House and Senate Veterans Affairs Committee Chairmen Bob Filner and Daniel Akaka, and a broad, bipartisan coalition of Senators and Representatives. In fact, the bill passed Congress with near unanimous support. And of course, we couldn't have done it without hundreds of thousands of concerned citizens, including countless Huffington Post readers, who called Congress, made donations, and recruited others to join the fight.

Last year, IAVA made the new GI Bill our number 1 priority, and we got it done. This year, we showed again what can be accomplished when patriotism trumps partisanship. Together, we reformed the way veterans' health care is funded forever, and made an historic investment in the future of the VA that will benefit millions of America's heroes. Now that's a fight worth fighting.

Crossposted at www.IAVA.org.

 

Follow Paul Rieckhoff on Twitter: www.twitter.com/PaulRieckhoff

Comments

[demfriend]

Paul, you are one special guy who deserves much for all you do for those who have fought and continue to fight to protect us. They deserve much better care and attention than they have been given and although it has improved since the past wars it still stinks if you need the care the VA is charged with giving. The situations all over the country are grim if Vets don't live right on the top of an area which has a larger VA facility. Many who are in need for mental services drive more than 5 and some 10 hours to get the mental health service provider to see them with an appointment every three months. The prescriptions are for 3 months for these vets. The needs of those who desire to see a provider are random depending on how many providers there are and if they have any time available. This often means a hospitalization at some far away from home facility to get into the system. I work with active duty and they have an easier time of it. But still the inpatient facilities are not often on the base where they are assigned. We have mental health patients sent to us from all over the southern Ca and medivac'd from all the world.

[Classof89]

Thank you, Paul, the IAVA, for putting up a very lengthy, but worthy and fierce fight. And kudos to fellow HP posters as well. Nice to read some good news for a change.

[sbvpav]

thank you for all americans, veterans and their families to IAVA for your constant vigilance to make this happen. as ione listened to ex-vice president cheney and his "dithering" criticism of president obama, one can not help but ask, "just what have you done for the troops?" why is it it seems those most ready to fight here, fight there have no dog in the race? they or none of their families have made the sacrifices so many ordinary americans have.

[granny104]

I watched this historic signing on CNN. It was very moving. My husband, whose life was saved by the VA two years ago (bypass surgery) appreciates what this bill will do. SADLY, I monitored the media later on and it received very little media coverage. Rachel M. reported it though! I emailed your post to my Republican relatives, who will never see it on Faux .

[GunnyJ]

As a veteran, this is tremendous news for my brothers and sisters in arms!!

[dawnone]

Now that the timing of the funding is in place, let's make sure that the funding is increased so that all vets get all of the care, including mental health, that they so richly deserve.

Perhaps with a fully funded VA, large numbers of vets will not become homeless.

[thehuff]

I wonder if Fox News will report this? Or not.

[GrainOSand]

I am pleased for the veterans, proud of the president, and a little annoyed such "common sense" legislation was so long in coming to fruition (especially when all I heard for many years is -- support the troops). To all those who fought the long fight for this meaningful change -- change has finally come.

[mergina]

It was fabulous to watch and so so long overdue.

[weatherwaxx]

Thank you, Paul. I've been reading your posts since seeing you on the Stewart or Colbert show (sorry... for me it's one long hour of decent news!)

It's nice to have another response to the folks who claim President Obama hasn't accomplished anything!

[in4success]

republicans voted against the bill . . . why do republicans hate our troops?

A: because they only love good slogans.

[zorak1704]

I am a disabled vet myself. I have been wondering why the VA has been delaying my surgery for so long. Now I know. My local VA clinic is great. The main hospital needs some work. Now, maybe it will get better.

[IllinoisTexan43]

Thank you, Mr. Rieckhoff and a thank you to the Obama administration for working within the confines of our government to enact and enable basic human rights. A lot of what this administration does is done quietly with little fanfare(our liberal media and all...) hence the sarcastic rejoinders we hear on this site all the time - "Obama's FINALLY done something". This administration IS making progress towards healing this nation one bill at a time under the guidelines of our laws. A refreshing change indeed...

[belly dancer]

Paul, thank you so much for your voice here at HP...my husband and i look forward to your postings here..and YES this is good news indeed..ir­onically my husband and i spent the day at Audie Murphy here in Texas for a round of medical tests for him.......­......agai­n thank you.

[roudy]

It is simply nuts that we provide total health care coverage for every type of ailment for every person that ever served in the military, regardless of duration of service or circumstances, but refuse to provide even basic health care coverage for American men, women and children.

[weatherwaxx]

That's how it used to be. Under Bush, a lot was cut back. And even before that, the VA refused to admit that Agent Orange was kiIIing our Vietnam vets.

My dad had some insurance even after he retired -- he passed away before Bush wrecked the VA system -- but he always preferred to go to the VA. I think he felt more comfortable with the other WWII veterans.

But I agree -- it IS insane that the richest country in the world doesn't have a system that provides its people with basic healthcare. Every other developed nation can do it -- why can't America?