Arlington, VA – Concerned Veterans for America (CVA) policy director Dan Caldwell released the following statement on President Trump’s proposed budget for the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) in FY2018:
“There are a few good items in the new VA budget proposal, but overall it does not achieve Secretary Shulkin’s vision of a more efficient and cost-effective department.
“The budget would increase spending on facilities by over a billion dollars even though the VA is sending more patients into the private sector for care and the veteran population is shrinking. It proposes adding nearly 8,000 new employees, which would make the VA larger than the active duty Navy.
“The massive VA investment made by President Obama did not bring better outcomes for veterans – it only proved that throwing money at the problems is not the answer. Congress should not accept the new VA budget proposal as it is currently written. By aggressively seeking out savings, Congress can help the VA can better use taxpayer dollars and better serve veterans.”
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