Hoyer Meets with Maryland Veterans

Hoyer Meets with Maryland Veterans

Discusses Funding Shortfall in Republican Budget

Congressman Steny H. Hoyer (D-MD) today joined leaders of the veterans' community from across the state of Maryland to discuss issues important to veterans, military retirees and their families.

Among the topics of discussion was President Bush's FY 2007 budget, which proposes a $250 annual enrollment fee and increased co-payments for outpatient pharmacy services from $7 to $15, thereby raising health care costs for hundreds of thousands of veterans.

"As we continue to fight a global war on terror, the most pressing need, according to nearly every veterans group across the country, is health care," Hoyer said. "Unlike other wars in recent memory, citizen-soldiers are fighting on the front lines of this conflict. With more guardsmen and reservists deployed than at any other time in history, the obligation to provide our veterans with adequate care has never been stronger."

Hoyer said President Bush's VA budget proposal raises health care costs for one million veterans, fails to reduce the strain on our troops, and fails to adequately compensate military retirees.

"I oppose Republican attempts to balance the budget on the backs of our veterans," Hoyer said. "I co-sponsored the GI Bill of Rights for the 21st Century which would increase our investment in health care, education, and jobs for veterans, and meet the needs of America's military families."

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http://www.hoyer.house.gov/newsroom/index.asp?ID=646&DocumentType=Press+Release