FOR RELEASE: May 1, 2002

BUSH ADMINISTRATION PLAN TO CLOSE 
VA EXTENDED CARE BEDS DRAWS REBUKE

 EVANS VOWS TO FIGHT FOR VA NURSING HOME CARE 

Washington, DC -- Congressman Lane Evans, Ranking Democratic Member of the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee, today called a Bush Administration proposal to close Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) nursing home beds “totally wrong.”  Evans said the Bush Administration has submitted legislation to Congress that would eliminate a requirement in law that VA, “continue to provide veterans with extended care services at 1998 levels.” 

In 1999, Congress enacted the Veterans Millennium Health Care and Benefits Act.  The Millennium Act required VA to maintain the staffing and level of extended care services provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs in VA facilities at levels not less than provided in 1998. 

Evans said Congress mandated VA to maintain the level of extended care services and staffing provided at the 1998 level for a simple reason – VA was rapidly reducing the number of staff and the level of extended care services being provided in VA facilities.  “If Congress had not acted in 1999 to require VA to maintain a level of service,” Evans continued, “there would be far fewer nursing home care beds in VA facilities today.”

“In fact,” Evans continued, “VA has not yet fully complied with the law Congress passed in 1999.  The number of staff and the level of extended care services being provided in VA facilities is still lower than in 1998.” 

Evans called the Administration proposal a “lose – lose” measure for the most vulnerable veterans, the frail elderly and those who require a higher level of care.  The Bush Administration has said if Congress doesn’t reduce the minimum level of VA extended care services for veterans now required by law, the Administration will take funding needed by other veterans health care programs to provide extended care.  “This is robbing Peter to pay Paul,” said Evans.  “This is certainly no way for a grateful nation to treat her veterans.  This is shameful.” 

“If the Bush Administration is able to overturn the minimum level of service for veterans that Congress has required,” Evans continued, “VA nursing home beds will disappear overnight.”  Evans said the problem is not that Congress has mandated too much care for veterans, but that the Bush Administration has not been willing to provide the funding needed to meet veterans’ health care needs.  

“I urge the Administration to withdraw their proposal to gut the current law requiring VA to maintain the staffing and level of extended care services provided at the 1998 level.  The Administration can avoid this fight by providing the funds needed to meet veterans health care needs.  I hope it will,” Evans added.

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