Maine Democratic Party

Press Room

Press Releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

October 22, 2009

CONTACT: EdGilman, (202) 225-6306

Michaud Joins President Obama for Signing of Bill to Secure Timely Funding for Veterans' HealthCare

WASHINGTON, DC - Today, Congressman Mike Michaud, Chairman of theHouse Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Health, joined President Obama at theWhite House as he signed H.R. 1016, the Veterans Health Care Budget Reform andTransparency Act. The President thanked Michaud for his leadership on theissue during a speech in which he highlighted the importance of thelegislation. Two photos are attached. Additional photos areexpected to be available on the wires this afternoon.

The legislation, which Michaud helped introduce earlier this year, is a toppriority for veterans service organizations and Congress. The billauthorizes funding for Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) medical careprograms one year in advance of the start of each fiscal year, beginning in2011.

"I was proud to work with a bipartisan group of Senators and Members ofCongress to introduce this bill in February. The signing of this billinto law represents an historic step forward for veterans' health care," saidMichaud. "Togus VA Medical Center in Augusta will benefit from thislegislation because it would allow them to better plan, expand and ultimatelyimprove health care for our veterans in Maine."

Advanced appropriations for medical care will provide VA with up to a yearto plan how to deliver the most efficient and effective care to an increasingnumber of veterans with increasingly complex medical conditions. Michaudpushed this idea for years because uneven budgets cycles and funding shortfallshave contributed to the rationing of VA health care and the inability of the VAto properly plan from year to year.

# # #

HollyWorks Web Design