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Senator CRANSTON. Thank you very much. I appreciate your very, very helpful statement.

Colonel HOUSTON. Thank you for the opportunity for appearing before you and presenting my statement, sir.

Senator CRANSTON. Will you and your organization stand with us in our efforts to restore to the VA budget the funds for medical care, construction, and research needed to insure the veterans receive first quality care?

Colonel HOUSTON. 100 percent, sir.

Senator CRANSTON. Thank you. Do have you any comments on today's VA testimony or any other testimony which you have heard? Colonel HOUSTON. I just put it down as a disagreement with them, we can't see any justification for it, I have heard it three times.

Senator CRANSTON. From the VA?

Colonel HOUSTON. Yes; and I have not found any justification. If I compare it with about 20,000 others that I have heard, a third just does not add up.

Senator CRANSTON. You have given us several examples of veterans turned down for care. Can you give us, and I understand a number of veterans organizations are working on this project, for the subcommittee's files examples of veterans turned down for care, who then wind up in community hospitals?

Colonel HOUSTON. There is one in this testimony, not in a community hospital. He was able to get it done in another hospital. But that is something that we are in the process of obtaining now.

Senator CRANSTON. Would you please, as soon as possible, submit it to us?

Colonel HOUSTON. These letters were obtained by telephone, and that is the only thing that we can give you at the moment.

Senator CRANSTON. Thank you. I appreciate your testimony very much. We will place the letters in the subcommittee files.

Colonel HOUSTON. Thank you.

[The prepared statement of Col. Houston, follows:]

STATEMENT OF HERBERT M. HOUSTON, DIRECTOR, NATIONAL LEGISLATIVE
SERVICE, VETERANS OF WORLD WAR I OF THE U.S.A., INC.

Mr. Chairman and Members of this Distinguished Committee:

We want to thank you for the opportunity of appearing before you for the purpose of expressing the views of the Veterans of World War I of the United States of America concerning the V.A. hospital program.

Our organization is vitally concerned in three aspects of veterans benefits authorized by the Congress and administered by the Veterans Administration; compensation, pensions and medical care for veterans. This does not mean that we are disinterested in other programs designed for younger veterans. We are interested in and support benefit programs for any age veteran whether or not our membership is eligible or not.

Over the years the Congress has enacted laws to provide the best hospital facilities for the Veterans of America than any nation. These were passed because our people were patriotic and concerned in providing health care for the veterans who had given of their time, during the most creative years of their life, in the service of their country. The Congress reflected the feeling of the nation that veteran compensation, pension and hospitalization was an obligation of the government to those who have fought in America's wars, and is a part of the cost of war. The entitlement for these benefits provided by the Congress has been of great comfort to those whose services to their country has preserved this nation from those who would destroy us.

The Veterans Administration has been authorized by the Congress to maintain 125,000 hospital beds. It has not, however, reached that number. In 1972 its operating beds averaged 98,352 and is at approximately 82,000 at the present time. In 1958, 121,000 were maintained, then the attrition began.

There has been a gradual reduction in hospital services since the late fifties. Not because there are no patients seeking medical care, for there have been; rather, it has been because of a movement in our country to downgrade the uniform service of this nation, and the failure to recognize that veterans have made any special contribution to the maintenance of this nation.

This movement has had advocates in the Bureau of the Budget, now The Office of Management and Budget. These individuals who are not subject to the will of the electorate have built up a bureaucracy so powerful their recommendations influence the President and tie the hands of the Congress.

It is obvious the aim of this group of influential bureaucrats is to abolish the Veterans Administration. They would abolish compensation and pensions provided for veterans. An attempt was proposed recently by the plan worked out to downgrade service connected veterans returning from Viet Nam by lowering the degree of ratings of disability. This attempt was thwarted by an alerted public and the Congress and retracted for the present.

It would be their hope that the Congress would not restore the reduction in pensions brought about by the increase in Social Security, and even advocate greater reductions in pension.

The assumption being that the greater portion of veterans are given credits for Social Security during active service. They would advocate some form of readjustment assistance for all veterans and permanent aid for those suffering permanent injury would somehow be worked out. Under this grandiose plan the older veterans, principally those of World War I, are evidently to be written off since they were born too early to qualify for enough Social Security payments to enable them to live, so their only recourse would be the humiliation of Public Welfare.

They would abolish the special consideration now provided for veterans as an award for service in the uniformed forces of our country whose service and sacrifices have protected and preserved this nation from her enemies throughout her history. Discarding this time proven method and substituting a new concept where the patriot and the renegade would be considered equal and offered the same consideration.

Instead of the V.A. hospital system designed by the Congress to provide medical care for veterans, they visualize some comprehensive health insurance plan where all citizens would participate. They have not proposed who is going to pay for this plan.

The Veterans of World War I can only see one thing clearly, the proposals are designed to degrade the veterans to which we are opposed.

This philosophy of government manifested its efforts on a national scale in the early sixties, demonstrated by resisting service to the country; by desecration of the flag, burning of draft cards, fleeing to other nations to evade military service, disrespect to the President of the United States, and a general disregard for constituted authority.

The Veterans of World War I whose average age is 78.2 now number approximately 1,190,000. Of this number approximately 40% of them were drawing a pension prior to January 1, 1973 which when added to their other income still left them classified as in the poverty class.

These veterans, and the widows of veterans, have to look to some form of other benefits to provide them with medical care.

A short period of illness will deplete their medicare benefits in a hospital and after that they are at the mercy of the elements unless cared for in the Veterans Administration hospitals.

An increasing number of these veterans need nursing home care, and cannot afford the expense of entering one. The monthly cost of nursing home care is double the entire income of many of these veterans. Their only hope is to get in a V.A. nursing home, or contract facility. Only a small percentage of these needing this service can enter one. A larger percentage cannot because they cannot enter a V.A. hospital so they can be transferred to a V.A. nursing home.

If the V.A. hospitals would receive all those who apply for hospitalization who only need nursing home care they would not have enough available beds to care for them. Any Veterans Service Officer can attest that the V.A. hospi

tal will not accept a nursing home case, and they cannot be entered into a V.A. nursing home by their family physician. Their only recourse is a County charity home, which is a sad tragedy for a veteran who gave of himself for his country.

We are submitting copies of some letters received in our headquarters for the record attesting to the lack of admissions in V.A. hospitals which reveal service which could be rendered if adequately funded to utilize facilities now existing, and authorized previously by the Congress.

The first letter is from a County Veterans Service Officer in Cleveland, Tennessee, marked #II, with an accompanying letter from Dr. James R. (Bob) Thurman of Cleveland, Tennessee marked Appendix A for #II.

The Service Officer states that he could not furnish us with names of cases and comply with our request for speed. He also states how he had cases on record where he had had applicants refused hospitalization and states another problem he is having is in getting out-patient care for service connected cases. The doctor in Appendix A for II reflects disgust in his efforts to deal with the physicians in the V.A. hospitals.

A Service Officer in Dayton, Tennessee expresses his experience in efforts to enter patients in V.A. hospitals marked #III.

Mr. Ross Fine, a County Service Officer expresses a thought mentioned in letters to our headquarters where veterans have tried to enter a V.A. hospital and the application was delayed, in what some refer to as stalling until the veteran died. Mr. Fine states this delay in his cases run as high as 40 days.

It is obvious these cases are delayed due to some pressure from somewhere and is a strong indictment against any institution created for the purpose of aiding those in need of medical care.

Letter marked #IV is from a disillusioned veteran of World War I. This veteran states that he has sought to be admitted three times to be examined and has been denied. Dr. Thurman in letter marked Appendix A for #II states that "The Doctors here say that no matter what the local doctors say the patient won't be admitted to the V.A. hospital without the doctors there evaluating the patient and making his own decision." Dr. Thurman is writing representing the County Medical Association.

Letter marked #V pertaining to a nursing home from Mr. Pike, a World War I Service Officer in Ohio working in Cincinnati, Ohio Veterans Administration hospital. His letter reflects the same appeal we received in letters from veterans throughout the year stating they need help and cannot help themselves.

We submit a letter marked #VI from a World War I veteran which is similar to hundreds of letters we receive from veterans who are trying to live and care for themselves and do not have the funds to do so.

The Veterans Administration hospitals should provide the medical care these veterans need. Here is an example that Medicare under the Social Security program does not provide the medical care these aged veterans need. The only thing they have to look forward to is to wait until they die without having their medical needs attended. They read of the entitlement provided for them by law, and have given up in disgust at trying to obtain admittance in a V.A. hospital because so many are turned away with the excuse there are no available beds.

The Veterans of World War I appeal to the Congress to appropriate adequate funds to provide the medical care our aged veterans need, and that increased provision be made for nursing home care under the V.A. for American veterans.

Thanking you again for the privilege of presenting our views on this critical subject, and we assure you of our cooperation in providing further assistance whenever we are able.

Senator CRANSTON. Our next witness is Mr. William J. Flaherty, deputy national director of legislation, Disabled American Veterans. Bill, we welcome you, glad to have you with us.

Mr. FLAHERTY. Mr. Chairman, we have prepared a statement setting forth pertinent data with respect to certain items in the VA medical budget fiscal 1973 and 1974. With the chariman's permis

sion, I would like to submit our full statement for the record and summarize very briefly some of its prominent features.

Senator CRANSTON. Thank you very much, it will go in the record at the conclusion of your statement.

STATEMENT OF WILLIAM J. FLAHERTY, DEPUTY NATIONAL DIRECTOR OF LEGISLATION, DISABLED AMERICAN VETERANS

Mr. FLAHERTY. At the very outset, Mr. Chairman, I should like to mention that the DAV, by reason of its essential character, has a very close and compelling interest in the Veterans' Administration hospital and medical care program.

In our view, the funds requested for VA medical care in fiscal year 1974 are grossly inadequate. It reflects an increase in budget authority for only $49.9 million over the 1973 level. Upon reviewing the massive needs of the hospital and medical care program it is readily apparent that the proposed increase is unrealistically low, and will inevitably result in the loss of services that are vitally needed.

The 1974 budget shows reductions in the level of medical personnel, in the daily patient census, in the staff-to-patient ratio, in the VA hospitals, in the hospital construction program, and in the important programs of medical and prosthetic research.

These reductions serve to cancel out the efforts of this distinguished committee and the Congress to improve hospital staffing and medical care. Additionally, the cuts impose inadequate employment levels at a time when many VA hospitals are facing a serious shortage of doctors, nurses, technicians, and other medical personnel to serve the increasing veteran population.

Mr. Chairman, the DAV feels very strongly that the VA ought to proceed urgently with the expansion of its hospital facilities, its medical services and the scope of its research projects. Much valuable work remains to be done and adequate funds must be made available to assure a high standard of care in VA hospitals.

We are certain, Mr. Chairman, that you and members of the committee will not allow the VA medical program to deteriorate and that you will continue your efforts to see that sufficient funds are available to enable the VA hospital system to fulfill the mission for which it was created many years ago.

Mr. Chairman, I want to express our gratitude for this opportunity to present our views on this most important subject.

Senator CRANSTON. Thank you very much. I want to thank you for your very kind remarks about the committee's work and current legislation.

Mr. FLAHERTY. You deserve it, sir.

Senator CRANSTON. I want to ask you the same question I asked your predecessor. Will you and your organization stand with us in our efforts to restore the VA budget in full, so that it will contain the funds for medical care, construction, and research needed to insure that veterans receive first quality medical care?

Mr. FLAHERTY. Indeed, we will, sir.

Senator CRANSTON. Do you have any comments on the VA testimony?

Mr. FLAHERTY. I didn't hear it, sir. I am sorry.

Senator CRANSTON. Do you have any thoughts as to where we might find room for cuts in the VA budget?

Mr. FLAHERTY. Any cuts in the VA budget? No, sir.

Senator CRANSTON. If we are going to increase the budget and stay within the spending ceiling, we are going to have to cut someplace. So, outside the VA budget, where do you think that we might best find room for cuts?

Mr. FLAHERTY. Mr. Chairman, the DAV has always supported a strong national defense. We do now; but we think the VA appropriations could be offset by savings in the defense budget. We hear frequently of billions of dollars in cost overruns at the Pentagon. We think there could be some savings in this area. Foreign aid, which requires expenditures of several billions, is in many cases, a bad in

vestment.

I have heard that better control of credit might ease inflationary pressures. These are just some of the areas that come to mind.

Senator CRANSTON. Thank you very much. That is very helpful. One other question, I believe that many of the veteran organizations, and your own, are collecting samples of veterans turned down for care who wind up in community hospitals. Would you please submit that information to us as fast as you can put it together? Mr. FLAHERTY. We will sir.

Senator CRANSTON. Thank you very much. We are delighted to have you with us.

[The prepared statement of Mr. Flaherty follows:]

STATEMENT OF WILLIAM J. FLAHERTY, DEPUTY NATIONAL DIRECTOR OF
LEGISLATION, DISABLED AMERICAN VETERANS

Mr. Chairman and members of the subcommittee: I appreciate the opportunity to appear before you and express the views of the Disabled American Veterans on matters affecting the Veterans Administration's Medical and Hospital Program.

I want to say at the outset, Mr. Chairman, that the DAV is genuinely grateful for the outstanding services you and the members of the Committee are extending to those who were disabled in our Nation's Armed Forces. If one looks back over the record, one can see very clearly that America's disabled veterans are fortunate indeed to have you around to advance and protect their interests.

Our good fortune is, of course, particularly recognized when we think in terms of your special efforts to bring about improvements in the quality of care and treatment in the Veterans Administration's medical and hospital system. It is unfortunate that these efforts are often frustrated by the Office of Management and Budget when it substitutes its own notions of wise fiscal policy for the clear intentions of this Committee and the Congress.

The DAV recognizes that fiscal and monetary restraints in the domestic economy may be necessary to help defeat inflation. However, we find it hard to accept a reduction in funds requested for the care and treatment of veterans who have suffered disabilities while serving their country in times of war. In this connection, it is the feeling of the DAV that the Veterans Administration budget for fiscal year 1974 is insufficient to allow the VA to effectively deliver health services that veterans need and are entitled to under the law. This is so, despite the fact that the 1974 budget indicates an increase of $49.1 million over fiscal year 1973 for medical care. However, it is certain that this relatively small increase will be wiped out by creeping inflation and rising costs. This will in turn contribute to a shortage of doctors, nurses, technicians and other medical personnel. Meanwhile, the VA, under pressure from the OMB, continues to deny that it needs additional funds for the medical programs.

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