For Immediate Release:
Thursday, July 14, 2005

WASHINGTON D.C - U.S. Representative Dan Boren expressed concern today that hundreds of Oklahoma veterans could be forced out of state nursing homes under an earlier proposal submitted in the Administration’s FY 2006 budget.  Boren worries the proposal could find new support in light of the recently disclosed shortfalls in the Veterans Affairs budget.

 

The proposal would set new eligibility rules for older veterans by limiting eligibility for per diem to only service-connected and catastrophically disabled veterans with special needs.  According to the National Association of State Directors of Veterans Affairs, the proposal could affect 82% of veterans in state long term-care facilities nationally. 

 

Of the current 1,366 veterans receiving care in Oklahoma’s state nursing home facilities, as many as 916 could fail to meet eligibility requirements if the proposal was enacted. 

 

“This proposal is an outrage,” Boren said.  “In Oklahoma we honor those who serve their country, and we take care of them when they age,” Boren said.       

 

“If this proposal gains steam, the outcome would be drastic,” Boren said.  “Hundreds of Oklahoma veterans could be forced to leave state nursing homes, and the cost to the state could be enormous,” Boren said.   

 

Tuesday, Veterans Administration officials admitted an additional $300 million will be needed on top of the $975 million already requested by the Administration to correct the shortfall for veterans’ healthcare.  The shortfall was expected to be about $1.3 billion in the current fiscal year, and could reach $2.7 billion in FY 2006.

 

"We must meet the demands of our aging veteran population,” Boren said.  “At a time of war, we must show the newest generation of veterans that we will keep our promises to them,” Boren said. 

  

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