TO: Action E-List
FROM: Joseph A. Violante, National Legislative DirectorSUBJ: IMMEDIATE
ACTION NEEDED
DATE: May 1, 2002
PLEASE CONTACT YOUR SENATORS AND URGE THEM TO SUPPORT EFFORTS
TO INCREASE FUNDING FOR VA HEALTH CARE IN THE FY 2002 SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATIONS BILL
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Secretary Anthony Principi has projected that, if he
does not receive an additional $400 million in supplemental funding for VA health care
programs this year, he may have to curtail enrollment of veterans seeking medical care.
However, the Administration has asked Congress for only $142 million additional for
VA. Senators Susan Collins, Tim Johnson, and Paul Wellstone have prepared a letter
to be sent to the Senate Appropriations Committee urging the Committee to provide a
minimum of $400 million for veterans' health care in the fiscal year (FY) 2002
supplemental appropriations bill.
The DAV and the other three veterans' organizations coauthoring The Independent Budget
sent a letter to all other senators urging them to join with Senators Collins, Johnson,
and Wellstone as signatories on their letter to the Appropriations Committee. These
three senators have also invited their senate colleagues to sign the letter. To
persuade senators to join in this letter and effort to get this essential supplemental
funding, we now need an immediate and strong grassroots campaign by DAV and Auxiliary
members. It is extremely important that you contact your Senators now to urge that
they join in this letter to the Appropriations Committee. For your convenience, you
may use the prepared e-mail message at the DAV web site at www.dav.org
to correspond with your senators.
PLEASE DO NOT SEND LETTERS TO SENATORS COLLINS, JOHNSON, OR
WELLSTONE!
As always, thank you for your support.
____________________
JOSEPH A. VIOLANTE
National Legislative Director
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