More $$$$$ needed for Veterans Health Care!

[Gimpy]

Got this in my E-mail a few days ago. PLEASE!!--PLEASE!! Write your elected officials (INCLUDING ol GW!) and let them know we're DEMANDING the additional funds proposed in the letter below!

Thanks,

GIMPY

***START***

M E M O R A N D U M

TO: Action E-List

FROM: Joseph A. Violante, National Legislative Director

SUBJ: IMMEDIATE ACTION NEEDED

DATE: May 1, 2002

PLEASE CONTACT YOUR SENATORS AND URGE THEM TO SUPPORT EFFORTS TO INCREASE FUNDING FOR VA HEALTH CARE IN THE FY 2002 SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATIONS BILL

Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Secretary Anthony Principi has projected that, if he does not receive an additional $400 million in supplemental funding for VA health care programs this year, he may have to curtail enrollment of veterans seeking medical care. However, the Administration has asked Congress for only $142 million additional for VA. Senators Susan Collins, Tim Johnson, and Paul Wellstone have prepared a letter to be sent to the Senate Appropriations Committee urging the Committee to provide a minimum of $400 million for veterans' health care in the fiscal year (FY) 2002 supplemental appropriations bill.

The DAV and the other three veterans' organizations coauthoring The Independent Budget sent a letter to all other senators urging them to join with Senators Collins, Johnson, and Wellstone as signatories on their letter to the Appropriations Committee. These three senators have also invited their senate colleagues to sign the letter. To persuade senators to join in this letter and effort to get this essential supplemental funding, we now need an immediate and strong grassroots campaign by DAV and Auxiliary members. It is extremely important that you contact your Senators now to urge that they join in this letter to the Appropriations Committee. For your convenience, you may use the prepared e-mail message at the DAV web site at www.dav.org to correspond with your senators.

PLEASE DO NOT SEND LETTERS TO SENATORS COLLINS, JOHNSON, OR WELLSTONE!

As always, thank you for your support.


______________________
JOSEPH A. VIOLANTE
National Legislative Director