For Immediate Release April 1, 2004

PETERSON MEETS WITH VETERANS SECRETARY ANTHONY PRINCIPI
ABOUT PROPOSED CUTBACKS AT VA HOSPITALS
Cutbacks Proposed at Erie, Altoona and Butler VA Hospitals

Washington – U.S. Congressman John Peterson (R-PA/5) urged Veterans Affairs Secretary Anthony Principi to reject service cutbacks which have been proposed at Veterans Hospitals in Erie, Altoona and Butler during a meeting in Peterson’s Congressional office on Wednesday.

Following the meeting, Peterson reported a very positive discussion. “Secretary Principi was extremely sensitive to the health care needs of our veterans, and he committed to taking a good, hard look at the affect that these cutbacks would have on our local veterans before making any decisions. Many of our veterans are already forced to travel long distances for care, and the elimination of beds and services in Altoona, Erie, and Butler would be a major blow to our veterans – many of whom are already forced to drive well over an hour for health care. At a time when we are sending young men and women to war, it would send a terrible message if we are at the same time cutting health care services for our veterans here at home.”

In February, Congressman Peterson, Senator Arlen Specter, and Secretary Principi traveled through rural Pennsylvania meeting with veterans and discussing their needs and concerns. During the trip, Principi announced the approval of new community-based outpatient clinics in Warren and Venango County. The Secretary also agreed to work with Peterson to see if there are any other viable locations in rural Pennsylvania that are in need of a new veterans’ clinic.

“Secretary Principi has been a true champion for veterans’ health care during his tenure as VA Secretary, and I am confident that he will do everything he can to make sure that our local veterans continue to have access to quality health care services without having to drive to Pittsburgh, Wilkes-Barre, Lebanon or Buffalo for care,” said Peterson.

As part of the effort to improve veterans’ health care and other veterans’ benefits, Peterson voted with a majority of the U.S. House of Representatives last week to approve the 2005 budget resolution which increases the authorized funding level for veterans’ programs to $70.5 billion, an increase of 15.3 percent over last year. The House also voted to add $1.2 billion to the budget request – which could be used for veterans’ medical care and prosthetic research – and rejected new fees and prescription drug co-payment increases which had been proposed.

Since Republicans took control of Congress in 1995, spending for veterans’ medical care has increased by 75 percent, while the number of veterans receiving care has increased from 2.5 million to 4.7 million. Monthly education benefit payment levels under the Montgomery GI Bill have more than doubled, from $405 to $985. Since 1995, total spending per veteran has increased by 79 percent, demonstrating the strong commitment by Congress to support our nation's veterans.

Congress also voted late last year to overturn a century-old law known as ‘concurrent receipt’, which prohibited disabled veterans from receiving both their disability benefits and full retirement pay. Until this year, veterans who were entitled to $1,000 a month in military retirement and $300 a month in disability had only received a check for $700 in retirement and $300 in disability. “Overturning this outdated law was a huge step forward after decades of unfair treatment for our veterans,” said Peterson. “It is critical that we properly compensate our veterans, and I will continue to work to make sure that our nation’s servicemen and women -- both retired and active duty -- receive the compensation they deserve.”

-###-