Washington, DC — On Thursday, March 8, 2007, Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA) National President Randy L. Pleva, Sr., presented testimony to the House and Senate Committees on Veterans’ Affairs about the legislative goals and objectives of the organization for this year.

In his statement, President Pleva underscored the importance of achieving a seamless transition—from active duty military status to veteran status—for critically injured service members who require expert, specialty care.

He stated, "The first concern we have is communication and coordination between the Departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs (VA). The two departments have agreed if a veteran suffers a spinal cord injury (SCI) then that veteran will be transferred to a VA Medical Center with a spinal cord injury center. However, there have been instances in which this is not happening."

President Pleva urged progress on the development of institutional long-term care programming for younger veterans severely injured during duty in Iraq and Afghanistan and who, by necessity, must depend on VA nursing home care. Alternatively, VA must implement new non-institutional long-term care programs that will enable many young veterans with severe disabilities to return to their local communities.

Addressing the FY 2008 VA Health Care budget, President Pleva stated, "It is time for the political wrangling over the VA's budget to stop. The needs of the men and women who have served and continue to serve in harm’s way are far more important."

President Pleva also stated, "It is a disgrace that veterans who have given their country their all--and whose sacrifices require specialized medical care--have not seen their government live up to its obligations. All veterans, including those in Category 8, don't deserve second-class treatment by indifferent bureaucrats."

For FY 2008, the Administration has requested $34.2 billion for veterans’ health care, a $1.9 billion increase over the current appropriation level established for this year. For FY 2008, The Independent Budget, of which PVA is a co-author, recommends approximately $36.3 billion, an increase of $4.0 billion over the FY 2007 appropriation level and approximately $2.1 billion over the Administration's request.

"We are deeply disappointed that the Administration chose to once again recommend an increase in prescription drug co-payments from $8 to $15 and an indexed enrollment fee based on veterans' incomes," President Pleva said. He added that similar proposals in the past have estimated that nearly 200,000 veterans will leave the system and more than 1 million veterans will choose not to enroll. "It is astounding that this Administration would continue to recommend policies that would push veterans away from the best health-care system in America."

To read President Pleva’s full testimony, visit www.pva.org/2007AnnualTestimony. Founded in 1946, Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA) is the only congressionally chartered veterans service organization dedicated solely for the benefit and representation of individuals with spinal cord injury or disease. PVA is a dynamic, broad-based organization with more than 19,000 members in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. To learn more about PVA, visit its Web site at www.pva.org.