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July 7, 2005 –Senator Richard T. Moore (D-Uxbridge) along with his Senate and House colleagues signed onto a resolution that calls upon Congress to immediately enact legislation that would fully fund veteran health care services administered by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

“I believe this country has a duty to provide complete health care to all our distinguished men and women in the military," Senator Moore said. “We must recognize their contributions to our nation and provide adequate funding for their health care system. As these service men and women continue to fight on behalf of our nation, we must also continue to fight for their health care services.” 

This year, the Department of Veteran Affairs faced a critical $1 billion shortfall in health care funding for our nation’s veterans. These shortfalls are threatening the health care services available for today’s veterans and the quality of future health care that will be available for those individuals who are currently serving in the armed forces at home or abroad. 

Federal funding for the Department of Veterans Affairs is determined through an annual appropriation bill process. Currently, there are companion bills, H.R. 515 and S. 331, in the U.S. House and Senate that would make funding for veterans health care mandatory rather than discretionary. The funding formula is based upon the number of veterans the VA health care system serves and the medical inflation costs. 

The resolution has been sent to the Massachusetts Congressional delegation as well as the offices of the Majority and Minority leaders in both branches of Congress. 

Senator Moore is extremely proud of his record of strong support for our veterans and for those serving in the military, especially the brave men and women of the Massachusetts National Guard. He is the sponsor or co-sponsor of several veterans’ bills this session including:

• S. 1845 - Relative to the Observance of Veterans Day
• S. 1996 - Assisting Cities and Towns Providing Veterans' Benefits 
• S. 1997- Real Estate Exemptions for Surviving Spouses of Veterans Killed In Time of War and Victims of Terrorism 
• S. 1998 - To Reform Death and Disability Compensation for Officers and Enlisted Members of the Armed Forces of The Commonwealth 
• S. 1999 - Reform the Military Division of the Commonwealth 
• S. 2001 - Prohibiting the Sale of Abandoned Military Medals and Decorations

More information on Senator Moore’s veteran bills can be obtained by checking his web site www.senatormoore.com/veterans.

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