(Washington, DC) - Last night, Congressman Baron Hill voted to secure timely health care funding for the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (VA). The Veterans Health Care Budget Reform and Transparency Act, H.R. 1016, authorizes Congress to approve veterans’ medical care funding one year in advance to better anticipate, and meet the demand for, veterans’ health care services. The advanced funding will give the VA up to a full year to plan for the most effective and efficient way of delivering medical care.

The issue of advanced funding is a top priority for veteran service organizations. More than 40 groups, including the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, AMVETS, Disabled American Veterans and the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, have come out in support of the legislation.

“Our veterans served with honor and they deserve the best services we can possibly offer – but far too often, critical VA funding gets held hostage by bureaucratic red tape,” Hill said. “This bill 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.”