Posted at 2:21 p.m., Monday, March 5, 2007
Akaka wants $2.9 billion more tagged for veteran care
Advertiser Staff
U.S. Sen. Daniel K. Akaka, D-Hawai'i, is calling for an increase of $2.9 billion in funding for veterans' medical care over the president's fiscal 2008 budget request.The increase includes an additional $300 million for treatment of traumatic brain injuries and $693 million for Veterans Affairs mental health programs.
Congress is examining treatment provided to current service members and veterans wounded in fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan after recent reports detailed substandard conditions at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C. and its outpatient facilities.
"Traumatic brain injuries are turning out to be the hallmark of the (Iraq war)," said Akaka, chairman of the Senate Veterans' Affairs committee. "We simply must ensure that VA has the resources to do more than just keep up, but to become a leader in brain injury care."
Akaka, speaking on the Senate floor today, also said "we have heard too many stories already of veterans in crisis who were unable to see a mental health professional for lack of staff or beds at VA facilities."
