Support Full Funding For VA Health Care: Put Your Money Where Your Promises Were

WHEREAS, President George Washington stated, "The willingness with which our young people are likely to serve in any war, no matter how justified, shall be directly proportionate to how they perceive the veterans of earlier wars were treated and appreciated by their country"; and

WHEREAS, whenever the United States military has ever been called upon to send forces into harms way, including sons and daughters of our great County of [Your County's Name here], in the State of [Your State's Name here], they have proudly answered the call; and

WHEREAS, we, as citizens of the United States of America, have promised our troops through military enlistment contracts comprehensive quality accessible healthcare for those veterans honorably discharged from The United States military past, present and future; and

WHEREAS, History has shown that many of the debilitating health effects of military conflict, may take years before they "show" themselves, and may even manifest themselves after the current limit for combat-related health care claims; and

WHEREAS, the legislative bodies of our government at all levels have recognized the importance of supporting those who serve our great country, legislation itself has fallen short of meeting the healthcare needs of our veterans. The current discretionary funding mechanisms for veterans healthcare is beset by numerous flaws preventing many veterans from receiving the quality healthcare they earned and deserve -- that they were promised; and

WHEREAS, in 2001, President George W. Bush created the Task Force to Improve Health Care Delivery to our Nation's Veterans, charging it with identifying ways to better guarantee healthcare services to our veterans; services they courageously earn; and

WHEREAS, in their final report in 2003, the Task Force identified a disturbing trend, whereby funding requests from the Department of Veterans Affairs were not met in the Federal Budget; and as part of their findings included the need for the establishment of a mandatory funding mechanism to ensure all enrolled veterans would be provided healthcare benefits; and

WHEREAS, on March 16, 2006, the United States Senate voted down mandatory funding for veterans' healthcare services (Ref: Stabenow Amendment No. 3141), which would have insured mandatory funding for our veterans' healthcare needs (YEA 46 / NAY 54); and

WHEREAS, a Government Accountability Office (GAO) report in 2005 highlighted the lack of resources experienced by the Veterans Administration and its understaffed workforce as they attempt to process an increasing backlog of our veterans claims; and

WHEREAS, former Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Anthony Principi has publicly stated the Department of Veterans Affairs has been struggling to provide promised healthcare services to the rapidly rising number of veterans requiring healthcare services; therefore be it

RESOLVED, that [Your County's Name here] County Board of Supervisors, fully supports mandatory federal funding for veterans' health care services; and be it

[OR] RESOLVED, as proud citizens of this great nation we fully support mandatory funding for veterans' healthcare services; and be it

FURTHER RESOLVED, the [Your County's Name here] County Board of Supervisors hereby urges the United States House of Representatives and the United States Senate move promptly to ensure that these health care obligations to our veterans be recognized by introducing and passing legislation guaranteeing full mandatory funding of veterans' health care services, and that the president sign such legislation into law; and be it

[OR] FURTHER RESOLVED, the United States House of Representatives and the United States Senate move to ensure that these healthcare obligations to our veterans be recognized and legislation be introduced and passed for signing by the President of the United States of America to guarantee full mandatory funding of veterans' healthcare services; and be it