The Obama administration has submitted to Congress Feb. 9 a $182-billion budget for the Department of Veterans Affairs for fiscal year 2017 (Oct. 1, 2016-Sept. 30, 2017). The proposal would focus on expanding veterans’ access to care and benefits. Key provisions include:
• $68.6 billion for health care, with continuing focus upon community, long-term, mental-health, spinal-cord, traumatic brain, and Hepatitis C maladies.
• $12.2 billion for community access, up from $10.5 billion in 2015, with other funds focusing on telehealth, women’s health, enhanced facilities, construction, and improved customer service.
• $180 for the Veterans Benefits Management System and $143 billion for the Veterans Claims Intake Program, to enhance electronic claims processing and the conversion to electronic record keeping.