Published: October 23, 2009 01:04 pm      

Bill aims to speed up health funding for veterans

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs will have up to a full year to prepare for funding and administering health care to vets through federal legislation finalized Thursday.

President Barack Obama's signed the Veterans Health Care Budget and Transparency bill and enacted Congress to approve medical care funding for veterans a year in advance of their eligibility date.

"Our veterans have served this nation with honor and distinction, and they deserve the best services we can possibly offer," Indiana Rep. Baron Hill stated in a news release.

Hill voted in favor of the bill when it was passed by the House earlier in October.

"But far too often, critical VA funding gets held hostage by bureaucratic red tape."

According to the release, more than 40 veterans groups support the advance funding measure. Organizations in favor include the American

Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars and Disabled American Veterans.

"This legislation will make it easier to address the medical needs of our veterans, ensuring they have full access to quality health care even if funding is delayed," Hill said.