Treatment of Veterans: Cause, Effect & Spin

CAUSE:
"In a rare move by a Cabinet member, Veterans Affairs Secretary Anthony Principi told a House committee he had sought $1.2 billion more than President Bush was willing to put in his budget. 'I asked OMB for $1.2 billion more than I received,' Principi said...Last year, Principi said the administration did not provide as large of an increase as he requested for the 2004 fiscal year."
- Associated Press, 2/4/04

EFFECT:
"The Department of Veterans Affairs announced in 2003 that it is immediately cutting off access to its health care system to some higher-income veterans."
- Washington Post, 1/17/03

EFFECT:
"President Bush's budget would more than double the co-payment charged to many veterans for prescription drugs and would require some to pay a new fee of $250 a year for the privilege of using government health care."
- New York Times, 2/7/05

EFFECT:
"The legislative director of the Paralyzed Veterans of America said the budget would force veterans hospitals and clinics to limit services."
- New York Times, 2/7/05

EFFECT:
"The Bush administration, already accused by veterans groups of seeking inadequate funds for health care next year, acknowledged yesterday that it is short $1 billion for covering current needs at the Department of Veterans Affairs this year."
- Washington Post, 6/24/05

SPIN:
"Secretary of Veterans Affairs Jim Nicholson promised lawmakers Tuesday that the budget shortfall will not affect veterans’ quality of care or access to doctors."
- Stars & Stripes, 6/29/05