For Immediate Release: April 26, 2005

Congressman Steve Buyer-fighting for our Veterans

Please find below some recent policy proposals for which he is working:

Health care funding
Congressman Buyer increased funding by over $300 million for veterans health care above the President's request.

Enrollment fee
An enrollment fee is one solution being considered in Congress by asking Priority 7 & 8 veterans, whose health care problems are not service-connected and who have the financial means, to pay a modest enrollment fee. The proposal begins the fee at about $20 a month for Priority 7s and allows the Secretary to determine appropriate income tiers for Priority 8 enrollment fees. Enrollment fees are not proposed for those who are service connected.

Congress is seeking to bring fairness and equality to the system and presently there is a disparity between a one tour veteran and a military retiree (who served 20 or more years). A military retiree must pay enrollment fees and make co-pays for their TRICARE Prime health plan where a veteran does not.

No one denied coverage
No where is the President or Congress suggesting that anyone receiving health care from the VA currently be denied access.

No co-pays for Prescription Drugs
The President proposed increasing co-pays for prescription drugs for veterans with no service connected disability and have the ability to have drug coverage by other means, such as Medicare. Chairman Buyer and Congress have rejected this proposal.

State nursing homes
The President proposed ending the partnership between the Department of Veterans Affairs and the state nursing homes. Chairman Buyer led Congress in opposing this proposal and increased funding by $293 million above the President's request.

Prosthetic research
Congressman Buyer increased funding for prosthetic research by $12.6 million above the President's request.

PTSD
Congressman Buyer seeks to increased funding for PTSD by $12 million above the President's increase of $100 million.

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