Letter: Funding for vet programs lacking

Sunday, May 28, 2000 | 9:35 a.m.

Federal spending for veterans' health care has not kept pace with the rising cost of care, even though the veteran population is shrinking. True, we are losing 1,000 World War II veterans each day, but their comrades are living longer, putting an even greater strain on the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) medical system. Many sick and disabled veterans must wait months for an appointment to see a medical specialist.

The more than 185,800 veterans of Nevada should be outraged that the federal government has failed to provide adequate funding for veterans health care. These shortfalls have meant that local VA hospitals have had to cut services and lay off health care workers. These cuts seriously threaten the quality and availability of health care for Neveda's veterans.

The only way to end this crisis is for every one of us -- veterans and nonveterans alike -- to write or call our United States senators and representatives in Washington today. Tell them to do what's right and support adequate federal funding for veterans' programs! Tell them to honor America's commitment to veterans!

J.P. JUSTICE

Editor's note: The writer is a member of the DAV Commander's Action Network.

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