Senate Won't Boost VA Hospital Spending

[cal04]

Republicans on Tuesday beat back a Democratic attempt to provide almost $2 billion in additional health care funding for veterans, rejecting claims that Veterans Affairs hospitals are in crisis. The proposal was part of an $80.6 billion emergency spending bill for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and other costs. The bill would give President Bush slightly less than the $82 billion he sought. It is also less than the $81.4 billion approved by the House.

The Senate's Republican leaders hoped to have the bill approved by the end of the week and ready for Bush's signature by the end of the month. But the timing of the bill has become uncertain, with Senate leaders dealing with stacks of amendments and a possible battle over immigration restrictions.

The first debate came Tuesday over a proposal by Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., to provide an additional $1.98 billion for veteran's care. She said VA hospitals are underfunded and overcrowded.

``There's a train wreck coming,'' Murray warned.

Republicans denied the VA had such serious problems. They noted the Bush administration said the additional funding wasn't needed and that it had enough money to cope with emergencies. Murray's proposal was defeated in a 54-46 vote, mostly along party lines. Immigration issues posed a potentially greater obstacle for the bill's swift passage.

http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/national/AP-US-Iraq-Spending.html?

[mbperrin]

1. Well, of COURSE we don't need to add to the VA!

My gawd, you'd think there was a war on where people could get hurt or somethin'.

All we really need is a high school football coach to run the place!
That would be like....

What's the matter with you, soldier?
I've been shot in the stomach, sir!
Walk it off, son, walk it off!
But I've been shot, sir!
Yeah, but just once, right? Now quit whinin' and get back in there!

See? All betta!

[happynewyear]

2. time to give some foreign county a bunch of $

to hell with the Veteran's that have served America huh?

:(

:kick:

[olddad56]

3. It makes sense, once wounded, the soldier isn't going to vote GOP

so why waste the money on a used up veteran. The govt. doesn't need to support our troops, all of the people with SUV's are. I've seen their little magnetic ribbons. I'll bet all of those people would be willing to pick the tab for all of the troops they allegedly support.

[Blue Belle]

9. Makes me wonder where all the $$ they spent on those

stickers actually went? Ever notice that you can pick one of those damn magnets up anywhere... but where do the profits go? Remember when Bill O'Reilly lambasted George Clooney, Julia Roberts, and anyone else who was involved in the 911 telethon over the money trail? Yet no one seems to care if the "Yellow Ribbon Magnet" $$ go to the troops at all.

Just a rant. Sorry.

[LeftyDarthBrodie]

4. From now on, when told I hate the troops for opposing the war and for..

being a liberal. From now on I will just repeat the first sentence of this article. As I will here:

Republicans on Tuesday beat back a Democratic attempt to provide almost $2 billion in additional health care funding for veterans, rejecting claims that Veterans Affairs hospitals are in crisis.

[Debau2005]

5. Amen!

I am engaged to a deployed soldier. He and his family like to remind me that as a Democrat I don't support the "cause." Because you can't support the troops if you don't support the "cause." WHATEVER...I'll send them the link to the VA Hospital article and see what they say now!

[nadinbrzezinski]

7. I can almost hear it

heads exploding

They also have a nice bumper sticker, we suport the troops, I am sure....

It is this bumber sicker mentality that is geting to me

By the way, they will be surprsied when Johny comes marching home, especially if Johnny decides to run Reikoff's Veterans for Truth.

[dbeach]

6. The chikenhawk war-mongers revealed for the ingrates that they are...

free-souping on the taxpayers dole while denying the Veterans their earned and promised care
What da ya expect from a NG deserter and treasonist??

[bluedog]

8. the way they voted

1 repub voter.......specter......


http://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=109&session=1&vote=00089

[Pinboy]

10. Thanks, Bluedog...

I sent the story and the voting details to a bunch of vets who will continue to spread this.

[Delphinus]

11. If the idiots had to use the VA system,

they'd know differently!

God, they are such incompetent, arrogant assholes!

[dweller]

12. it would have costs us about $6 bucks and change

apiece to provide this funding...less than a couple of yellow ribbon magnets.*


dp


* figures supplied by Big Eddie Schultz