Overview

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) provides benefits to veterans who meet certain eligibility criteria. Benefits to veterans range from disability compensation and pensions to hospital and medical care. The VA provides these benefits through three major operating units: the Veterans Health Administration (VHA), the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA), and the National Cemetery Administration (NCA). This report focuses on funding for the VHA. The VHA is primarily a direct service provider of primary care, specialized care, and related medical and social support services to veterans through the nation's largest integrated health care system. Eligibility for VA health care is based primarily on previous military service, disability, and income. The President's FY2015 budget request was submitted to Congress on March 4, 2014. The President's budget is requesting $158.6 billion in budget authority for the VA as a whole. This includes $93.5 billion in mandatory funding and $65.1 billion in discretionary funding. For FY2015, the Administration is requesting $56.6 billion for VHA. This includes $45.4 billion for the medical services account, $5.9 billion for the medical support and compliance account, $4.7 billion for the medical facilities account, and nearly $589 million for the medical and prosthetic research account. Furthermore, as required by the Veterans Health Care Budget Reform and Transparency Act of 2009 (P.L. 111-81), the President's budget is requesting $58.6 billion in advance appropriations for the three medical care accounts (medical services, medical support and compliance, and medical facilities) for FY2016. On April 3, 2014, the House Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Subcommittee approved its version of a Military Construction and Veterans Affairs and Related Agencies Appropriations bill for FY2015 (MILCON-VA Appropriations bill). The full House Appropriations Committee approved a draft measure by voice vote on April 9, 2014, and the House passed MILCON-VA Appropriations bill for FY2015 (H.R. 4486; H.Rept. 113-416) on April 30, 2014. The House-passed version of the MILCON-VA Appropriations bill for FY2015 proposes a total of $158.2 billion for the VA as whole. For FY2015, H.R. 4486 proposes $56.2 billion for VHA. This includes $45 billion for the medical services account, $5.9 billion for the medical support and compliance account, $4.7 billion for the medical facilities account, and nearly $589 million for the medical and prosthetic research account. H.R. 4486 (H.Rept. 113-416) includes $58.6 billion in advance FY2016 funding for the medical services, medical support and compliance, and medical facilities accounts-the same level included in the President's request. On May 20, 2014, the Senate Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Subcommittee marked up its version of the MILCON-VA Appropriations bill for FY2015. The full Senate Appropriations Committee approved the measure (H.R. 4486; S.Rept. 113-174) on May 22. The committee-approved bill proposes $158.6 billion for the VA as a whole. For FY2015, H.R. 4486 (S.Rept. 113-174) proposes $56.4 billion for VHA. This includes $45.1 billion for the medical services account, $5.9 billion for the medical support and compliance account, $4.9 billion for the medical facilities account, and nearly $589 million for the medical and prosthetic research account. H.R. 4486 (S.Rept. 113-174) includes $58.6 billion in advanced FY2016 appropriations similar to the House-passed amount and the President's request.

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