Arlington, VA, September 18, 1995 -- Secretary of Veterans' Affairs Jesse Brown today blasted congressional proposals to slash health care benefits for U.S. veterans.

"Our veterans have already paid taxes on their compensation and pension benefits," said Brown. "Paid them in full, with their own blood and suffering. ... This nation does not fight cheap wars. And we simply cannot allow nickel-and-dime politics to cut the heart out of veterans' programs."

Brown, addressing members of the Air Force Association at the group's national convention in Washington, said that although the Clinton administration has proposed a $1 billion increase in health care for veterans in the coming fiscal year budget, the House proposal would limit that increase to $563 million. The Senate bill would slash spending even more dramatically, providing only $236 million in health care benefits for veterans and their families.

"This is wrong," said Brown. "It is bad for veterans, and it is bad for the nation." Brown called current plans an "outrage," saying Congress is "simply robbing Peter to pay Paul."

Brown acknowledged that balancing the budget and reducing taxes are necessary to achieve a leaner, more efficient government. But the difficult choices the nation faces in reaching that goal, he said, should not include penalizing the men and women who served.

"We must not balance the budget and pay for a tax reduction on the backs of veterans," said Brown, drawing rousing applause. "Veterans have already paid a tremendous price for their benefits."

Brown pointed out that if Congress follows through on its plans, his agency will by 2002 be forced to fire 61,000 doctors, nurses and other health care workers; close 41 VA hospitals; cancel 150 construction projects; and make poor veterans pay more for their medication.

In addition, Brown said, veterans would have to wait longer to get a decision on their claims, and VA would have to deny care to more than 1 million veterans already enrolled in VA programs.

"During the history of our nation, our citizen-soldiers have answered the call to duty time after time," Brown said. "Over 40 million men and women have served this nation in uniform. And today, over 26 million are alive. It is those 26 million veterans and their families for whom we must now answer the call of duty."