The Obama Administration’s proposed $132 billion budget for the Department of Veterans Affairs includes $51 billion for health care, with provisions for mental health, suicide prevention, new medical facilities, greater benefits for health-care providers, and research. Another $70 billion would pay for benefits programs, and continue VA’s efforts to reduce the byzantine backlog of pending disability compensation and pension claims. Other provisions include:
* $940 million for homelessness programs;
* $11.5 million for education and training programs;
* $3.2 billion for information technology operations;
* $590 million for construction;
* And $250 million for maintenance and operations of national cemeteries.
