Administration Seeks New VA Means Test

 
News & Links

America's Veterans
Homepage

 

February 2007 - The section of the administration's fiscal 2008 budget for the Department of Veterans Affairs again targets veterans who have little or no VA disability rating. The proposal would establish an annual enrollment fee based on means testing for veterans enrolled in Priority groups 7 and 8. The fee for annual incomes from $50,000 to $74,999 would be $250. For incomes from $75,000 to $99,999 enrollment cost would double to $500. And veterans with incomes of $100,000 or more would pay $750. The budget also would almost double prescription drug co-pays from $8 to $15. Veterans organizations are opposed to such hikes in fees and drug co-pays on grounds that military beneficiaries have already paid their dues by their service and sacrifice for their country. Congress has rejected proposals to bump up VA fees in the past, and the vets' organizations are lobbying for similar action this year.