Contact: David W. Gorman
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(202) 554-3501 April 6, 2001

Senate Budget Boosts Veterans Funding

WASHINGTON-The $1.9 trillion federal budget outline awaiting final action
in Congress is being hailed by the million-member Disabled American Veterans
(DAV) as a welcome first step toward honoring America's commitment to
veterans.

As approved by the Senate, amendments would add $2.6 billion to the
President's proposed budget for veterans health care and other discretionary
programs and services provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
Another amendment, adopted by voice vote, would provide $2.9 billion in
budget authority in fiscal year 2002 and up to $40 billion over the next 10
years to cover costs associated with allowing the concurrent receipt of
military longevity retirement pay and veterans disability compensation.

"The Senate has demonstrated its commitment to our nation's veterans,"
said DAV National Commander Armando C. Albarran. "These proposed funding
increases in the federal budget are an important and welcome first step
toward ensuring that sick and disabled veterans will receive top-quality
health care and timely, accurate decisions on their claims for disability
compensation."

By a vote of 53 to 46, Senators adopted an amendment offered by Paul D.
Wellstone (D-Minn.) to add $1.7 billion for veterans health care to the
President's proposed $1 billion increase for VA discretionary spending, for
a total increase of $2.7 billion above the current level.

Senators also adopted 98 to 1, an amendment offered by Christopher Bond
(R-Mo.) providing another $967 million for VA discretionary spending.

The concurrent receipt amendment, offered by Senator Harry Reid (D-Nev.),
would remove a major stumbling block to legislation allowing veterans with
at least 20 years of military service to collect their full longevity pay
and VA disability compensation. Under current law, military longevity
retired pay is reduced by an amount equal to a veteran's VA disability
compensation.

The budget resolution merely provides a broad outline of tax and spending
goals for fiscal year 2002, which begins Oct. 1. Actual funding levels for
the VA and the rest of the government will be set by appropriations bills
later.

"The congressional budget plan is only the first step," said Commander
Albarran. "The DAV urges members of Congress to support adequate
appropriations for veterans health care and provide the resources the VA
needs to hire and train additional personnel to improve the quality and
timeliness of the claims adjudication system. Congress must now take
decisive action to appropriate those funds needed to honor America's
commitment to veterans."

The million-member Disabled American Veterans, a non-profit organization
founded in 1920 and chartered by the U.S. Congress in 1932, represents 2.3
million disabled veterans. It is dedicated to one, single purpose: building
better lives for our nation's disabled veterans and their families.

Vietnam memorial: under budget and on time

Friday, February 16, 2001



Plans for the Massachusetts Vietnam Veterans Memorial took a giant step forward recently.
After what Worcester Parks Commissioner Michael V. O'Brien called a very competitive bidding process, it was gratifying that, in this era of high construction costs, a public project could come in under budget. The $1.29 million bid from Mountain View Landscapes and Lawncare Inc. of Holyoke was well within the $1.4 million project budget.
By the end of November, as called for in the bid, nearly two decades of planning will come to fruition with an impressive memorial in Green Hill Park. It is an appropriate way to recognize the sacrifices of servicemen and servicewomen from throughout Massachusetts who fought and died in the Vietnam War.
It also will end Massachusetts' dubious distinction as the only state without a permanent memorial to Vietnam War veterans.
The imposing structure, set in a quiet and contemplative environment, also will enhance the city's premier park and serve as an attraction to veterans and thousands of other visitors from throughout the state.

News Release

January 18, 2001
Contact: David W. Gorman
(202) 554-3501




Lump-Sum Payment Scheme Short-Changes Disabled Veterans



WASHINGTON-The Disabled American Veterans (DAV) strongly opposes attempts to offer lump-sum settlements instead of monthly payments to compensate veterans for disabilities related to their military service.


"Such a scheme would short-change disabled veterans," said DAV National Commander Armando C. Albarran. "Lump-sum settlements are merely a way for the government to avoid the administrative costs of reevaluating service-connected disabilities and as a way to avoid future liabilities to those veterans when their disabilities worsen or cause secondary disabilities."


The issue of lump-sum payments was raised recently in a Jan. 17 news release issued by the office of House Armed Services Chairman Bob Stump (R-Arizona).


"It is disgraceful to suggest that disabled veterans bargain away their future entitlement to compensation for their disabilities merely to make it more convenient for the government," Commander Albarran said.


Disability compensation is paid monthly by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to an eligible veteran at a rate corresponding with diminished earning capacity resulting from the effects of service-connected disease or injury. By design, monthly payments are intended to provide continuous compensation for as long as the veteran continues to suffer the effects of that disability. Under current law, if the disability becomes more severe over time, a veteran's compensation rate could increase accordingly.


"Lump-sum payments would not, on the whole, be in the best interests of disabled veterans," said Commander Albarran. "It is shameful to prey upon these men and women--at a very vulnerable point in their lives--for the sake of government savings and convenience."


The million-member Disabled American Veterans, a non-profit organization founded in 1920 and chartered by the U.S. Congress in 1932, represents 2.3 million disabled veterans. It is dedicated to one, single purpose: building better lives for our nation's disabled veterans and their families.