President Obama has proposed a nearly $169 billion budget for the Department of Veterans Affairs in 2016 but also includes a plan to reallocate some funding from the Veterans Access, Choice, and Accountability Act (VACAA). The VACAA was passed in 2014 and allows veterans to seek care outside of the VA system.
The $168.8 billion—an increase of $5.2 billion and 7.5% over the 2015 budget—will be distributed throughout the VA, but the plan to reallocate funds from the VACAA has drawn some criticism. Rep. Jeff Miller who heads the House Veterans Affairs Committee released a statement on February 2 that said reallocating funds from the VACAA was "a complete non-starter" and that he would not support that portion of the budget proposal.
"When a near-unanimous Congress worked with President Obama last year to create the choice program, we made a promise to veterans to give them more freedom in their health care decisions," Miller said. "I will not stand idly by while the president attempts to renege on that promise."
Fifty six percent ($95.3 billion) of the budget will be mandatory spending including disability compensation and pensions. The remaining 43.5% ($73.5 billion) will be directed toward discretionary spending, largely for health care.
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Eighty seven percent ($63.2 billion) of discretionary spending will be directed toward medical programs including:
- $7.5 billion for mental health
- $7.5 billion for long-term care
- $2.8 billion for prosthetics
- $556 million for spinal cord injuries
- $243 million for readjustment counseling
- $232 million for traumatic brain injuries
Discretionary spending will also focus on improving access to care by providing funding to the following programs:
- $1.2 billion in telehealth funding
- $446 million for health care services specifically designed for women
- $598 million for the activation of new and enhanced health care facilities
"VA has before it one of the greatest opportunities in its history to enhance care for veterans and build a more efficient and effective system," Secretary of Veterans Affairs Robert A. McDonald said in a VA press release. "This budget will allow us to continue important progress to better serve Veterans, their families and their survivors."
Related: Carolyn Clancy on Improving Veterans' Access to Care
Of the remaining 13% allocated for discretionary spending, $5.9 million will fund 2 new national cemeteries and $1.1 billion will fund major construction projects.
Facilities in St. Louis, Missouri; Louisville, Kentucky; American Lake, Washington; Perry Point, Maryland; Puerto Rico; Portland, Oregon; Pensacola, Florida; and 6 facilities in California will be undergoing construction if the budget passes.
The new budget also calls for advance appropriations of $63.3 billion for the agency in 2017.
