WASHINGTON, March 16 (UPI) -- The Budget Committee of the U.S. Senate wants to boost the resources available for veterans health care by $3.5 billion.
The Democrat-controlled committee is led by Sen. Kent Conrad, D-N.D., and it is driving towards a head-on collision with the Bush administration on the issue, the Army Times reported Thursday.
The newspaper said Conrad and a majority of senators on the committee had decided not to approve an administration plan to raise the costs of health care for retired U.S. military personnel by demanding a signing on payment before some vets could be admitted to Veterans Administration hospitals.
The report said Conrad and his supporters on the committee had already drafted an alternative plan to approve $36.3 billion to go to the VA for medical care, along with other payments. The Democratic proposals were in line with earlier budget plans presented by some vet groups, the Army Times said.
Conrad's stand reflected the willingness of the Democrats controlling both houses in the new 110th Congress to confront the White House head-on over domestic social issues. It also reflected public outrage and the administration's embarrassment over the revelations of poor maintenance and care at a hospital where Iraq and Afghanistan war vets were being treated.
