Thank you, Chairman Dent, Ranking Member Wasserman Schultz, and Chairman Frelinghuysen, for your work on this bill.
We owe a tremendous debt of gratitude to those who have sacrificed for us in our armed forces as well as their family members who share in the service to our country. That is why the work of this subcommittee is so important to ensure our veterans receive the honors, benefits, and assistance they have earned.
The Fiscal Year 2019 bill for Military Construction and Veterans Affairs would provide $96.9 billion, a $4 billion increase over the Fiscal Year 2018 enacted level. There are many essential components of this bill, including:
* $2.9 billion for the Veterans Benefits Administration;
* $1.8 billion to address veteran homelessness;
* $511 million to support the health needs of women veterans; and
* That the bill honors the budget agreement and provides the second installment of $2 billion for VA infrastructure improvements.
I have long advocated for DOD and the VA to use the same electronic health records system, which would coordinate care for Veterans once they leave the service and provide them the support they deserve. And while Former VA Secretary David Shulkin put VA on that path, the contract to do this remains unsigned. It is my hope that the resources and oversight in this bill will ensure that the project moves quickly so the federal government can more efficiently meet the health needs of our veterans.
Lastly, it is unconscionable that a veteran who has the courage to seek treatment for substance abuse should be turned away for weeks because the VA does not have a space available.
I thank the Chairman for including report language I requested to urge the VA to reduce wait times for access to inpatient substance abuse treatment to address this issue.
Before I conclude, this will be the last subcommittee mark with Mr. Dent as Chairman, and I thank him for his work and service. I look forward to working together to improve this bill as the process moves forward.
Source: U.S. Department of HCA
