HARRISBURG, Pa., March 19 (UPI) -- Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell says President Bush's proposed veteran services cuts, including veterans homes, is unfair to the nation's greatest patriots.
The Democratic governor Saturday said Bush's proposed $350 million cut in veteran homes funding will wipe out at least 5,000 veterans nursing home beds.
"Pennsylvania has six veterans' homes that house and care for 1,600 proud vets," Rendell said in the Democrats' weekly radio address.
He added: "We rely on and expect federal resources to operate these homes and it looks like our nation's unwavering commitment to our state veterans' homes will be wiped out in a swath of red ink If the President's proposed cuts are enacted, nearly 60 percent of the 1,600 veterans will lose their daily stipend that allows them to stay in our state's nursing homes -- literally forcing them out into the cold."
Rendell also complained that Bush wants to double veteran co-pays when he already had tripled them two years ago.
"Does it really make sense for the president to increase the cost of vets' prescriptions by 100 percent?" Rendell asked.
He also blasted Bush's proposed annual $250 fee to be paid by every veteran wishing to participate in the veteran's administration health care program.
