FIRST REGULAR SESSION
House Concurrent Resolution No. 35
92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY
Whereas, funding for Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) health care under the federal budget is a discretionary program, meaning that it is within the discretion of the United States Congress to determine how much money it will allocate each year for veterans' health care; and
Whereas, Title 38 of the United States Code, Section 1710(a) provides that the Secretary of Veterans Affairs "shall" furnish hospital care and medical services, but only to the extent Congress has provided funding to cover the costs of care; and
Whereas, veterans have earned the right to VA medical care through their extraordinary sacrifices and service to this Nation; and
Whereas, the cumulative effects of insufficient health care funding have now resulted in the rationing of health care; and
Whereas, VA has reached capacity for many of its health care facilities and is unable to provide timely access to quality health care; and
Whereas, the annual shortfall in the VA medical care budget translates directly into higher national health care expenditures; and
Whereas, when veterans cannot get needed health care services from VA, they go elsewhere and the cost of care is shifted to state welfare and Medicaid programs or other safety net hospitals where society pays more and the patient suffers; and
Whereas, the Veterans Health Administration is the most efficient and cost-effective health care system, providing care for 25% to 30% less than comparable Medicare services; and
Whereas, even though VA serves a population of veterans that is older, sicker, and has a higher prevalence of mental and behavioral health problems, it does so at well below Medicare rates; and
Whereas, many veterans need and depend on the VA health care system and its specialized services in prosthetics, post traumatic stress disorder, spinal cord injury, and blind rehabilitation to treat their service-connected disabilities and meet their unique health care needs; and
Whereas, it is disingenuous for our government to promise health care to veterans but then make it unattainable because of inadequate funding; and
Whereas, making veterans' health care mandatory would ensure the government meets its obligation to provide timely, quality health care to all veterans eligible for care in the VA health care system:
Now, therefore, be it resolved that the members of the House of Representatives of the Ninety-second General Assembly, First Regular Session, the Senate concurring therein, hereby urge the United States Congress to amend Title 38 of the United States Code to provide a guaranteed level of funding for veterans health care with mandatory funding; and
Be it further resolved that the Chief Clerk of the Missouri House of Representatives be instructed to prepare a properly inscribed copy of this resolution for the President of the United States, the United States Senate Majority and Minority Floor Leaders, the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, the Chairperson of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee, the Chairperson of the House Veterans Affairs Committee, and each member of the Missouri Congressional Delegation.