Recent VA News Releases


        To view and download VA news releases, please visit the following
Internet address:
                        http://www.va.gov/opa/pressrel>


        VA's Proposed Budget for FY 2004 -- A Statement by Secretary of
Veterans Affairs Anthony J. Principi

        WASHINGTON (February 4, 2003) -- The President's recent budget
request of $63.6 billion for the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
demonstrates the administration's commitment to this nation's veterans.
This fiscal year 2004 budget request for VA represents the greatest
percentage increase for any department in government.

        The budget proposal -- $30.2 billion in discretionary funding
(mostly for health care) and $33.4 billion for VA-administered entitlement
programs (mostly disability compensation and pensions) - reinforces VA's
commitment to serve the highest priority vets, those with service-connected
disabilities, low-income veterans and veterans with special medical needs,
such as spinal cord injuries, blindness and amputations.  The President's
budget will increase the number of these higher priority veterans in VA care
by 169,000 in FY 2004.

        We expect to treat 4.8 million patients in FY 2004, while continuing
to reduce the time veterans must wait to see a doctor.  Our goal is to have
veterans wait no more than 30 days for a non-emergency, primary care visit.

        The budget proposal also builds upon current efforts to reduce the
backlog of claims from veterans waiting to receive their well-earned
benefits, especially disability compensation and pensions.  I expect, by the
end of this fiscal year on Oct. 1, that veterans will wait an average of 100
days for a decision on their claims.

        The $144 million requested in the budget for VA's national
cemeteries will permit the department to fulfill this nation's promise to
provide veterans with dignified final resting places in facilities that are,
truly, national shrines.

        I am excited to join President Bush in presenting this budget
proposal.  It will enable VA to honor its commitments to the men and women
who have served our country in uniform, while growing to meet the needs of
tomorrow's veterans.


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