Bush and Cheney's VA Budget

VP Dick Cheney. "Anyone can say they support the troops and we should take them at their word, but the proof will come when it's time to provide the money," he said.

A budget that failed to support the troops.

Bush Administration's Budget Request By the Numbers
The following numbers are estimates of the consequences of enacting President Bush's Fiscal Year 2006 budget proposal. [Sources: VFW Press Release, Department of Veterans Affairs, President's Fiscal Year 2006 Budget]

Veterans who would stop receiving hospital treatment for their disabilities: 220,000

Veterans losing out on long-term nursing home care: 28,000

VA health care workers eliminated: over 3,000

Veterans benefits staff positions cut: over 700

Priority 8 Veterans denied VA enrollment between Jan. 14, 2003 and the end of Fiscal Year 2006: 522,000

Medical research projects terminated: 173

Increase in out-of-pocket payments by veterans: $424 million

Percentage increase in VA health care funding over Fiscal Year 2005: 0.4