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Express-News: Military 04/18/2001 By Sig Christenson His dad became known for breaking a pledge to not raise taxes. Now, some veterans say, President Bush is following in his father's footsteps. At issue, old soldiers and Rep. Ciro D. Rodriguez said Tuesday, is a Bush campaign promise to boost veterans health care programs. They say Bush's proposed $1 billion increase for VA hospitals and benefits is a break in his vow, made at a veterans convention last summer, that "help is on the way." "We've got to take care of veterans, we've got to take care of our national defense, and he's not doing that," said Rodriguez, D-San Antonio and a member of the House Armed Services Committee. "His first priority, and his only priority so far, has been tax cuts." Both the White House and Rep. Henry Bonilla, R-San Antonio, defended Bush's proposed $51 billion Department of Veterans Affairs budget, saying it fulfills his commitment to those who once served in uniform. The budget includes $23.4 billion in discretionary budget authority, a $1 billion increase over the current fiscal year. "Bush promised the military an arm and a leg," said Korean and Vietnam War veteran Donald L. Nunley, 67, of Canyon Lake. "Now he's backing off from his promises." The American Legion has called for a $1.75 billion rise in discretionary spending — money earmarked for VA hospitals and the processing of benefits. A coalition of veterans groups wants $3.4 billion, while the House Veterans Affairs Committee unanimously recommended a $2.1 billion increase. American Legion national spokesman Steve Thomas stopped short of saying Bush has broken his promise to veterans. But he suggested the president's word would be kept — with or without his support. "We're going to go to Congress to get the money to assure that the president can keep his promises to veterans," he said. The call for more VA spending comes amid a hiring freeze in the South Texas Veterans Health Care System, which has facilities in San Antonio, Kerrville, Corpus Christi, Laredo, McAllen and Victoria. As the system brings its costs in line with its $272 million budget, Medal of Honor recipient and VA counselor Richard "Louis" Rocco said veterans wait as long as nine months before receiving treatment from various specialty physicians. South Texas Health Care System spokeswoman Diana Struski said urgent cases are seen at once, and that other patients are seen "in the medically appropriate time" specified by their doctors. Pharmacy costs have jumped 15 percent, and the region's VA facilities have seen 4,000 more patients this year amid a shortage of nurses, Struski said. Syndicated columnist David Hackworth, a highly decorated retired Army colonel, called the VA "inflexible and incompetent" and said it needs strong leadership. "But Rodriguez pointed to Bush's VA budget plan as a major issue. In a meeting with a dozen or so veterans at VFW Post 9186, he said the number of service-connected claims received by the VA has skyrocketed in the past few months. VA Secretary Anthony Principi has sought to fix the problem by earmarking $50 million to hire 863 adjusters to clear a backlog of disability and pension claims, but Rodriguez said more money is needed. Bonilla, a member of the House Armed Services defense appropriations subcommittee, praised Bush for creating a "pro-veteran" budget, one that offers a "significant increase" over last year. "The president definitely has a commitment to all those who are serving now and to those who have served in the past," White House spokeswoman Jeanie Mamo said. Those at the VFW hall, however, expressed skepticism. "I'm not angry, but I'm waiting to see what develops," said retired Air Force Master Sgt. G.R. "Jerry" Wright, 67, of Somerset who voted for Bush. VFW Post Commander Lonnie Garza, another Bush backer, said he had hoped the president would keep his promises but added: "I have to put a question mark on that." sigc@express-news.net |
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