	Most Recent Developments

On September 30, 2008, the President signed H.R. 2638 , the Consolidated Security, Disaster Assistance, and Continuing Appropriations Act, 2009, into law as P.L. 110-329 . This act included the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Act, 2009 (MILCON-VA Appropriations Act of 2009), as its Division E. The House passed H.R. The MILCON-VA Appropriations Act of 2009 provides a total of $40.9 billion for the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) for FY2009 (see Table 1 ), a $1.7 billion increase over the Administrations request and a $3.7 billion over the FY2008 enacted amount. P.L. 110-329 did not include any bill language authorizing fee increases as requested by the Administration's budget proposal for the VHA for FY2009. Background

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) provides a range of benefits and services to veterans who meet certain eligibility rules, including disability compensation and pensions, education, training and rehabilitation services, hospital and medical care, assistance to homeless veterans, home loan guarantees, and death benefits that cover burial expenses. The Veterans Health Care System

The VHA operates the nation's largest integrated direct health care delivery system. P.L. P.L. FY2009 VHA Budget

On February 4, 2008, the President submitted his FY2009 budget proposal to Congress. The Administration requested a total of $39.2 billion (excluding collections) for VHA. This is a 5.3% increase, or a $2.0 billion increase, over the FY2008 enacted level. Including total available resources (including medical collections) the Administration's budget would have provided $41.1 billion for VHA. FY2009 Congressional Budget Resolution49

On March 7, 2008, the House ( H.Con.Res. 312 ) and Senate ( S.Con.Res. 70 ) reported their respective budget resolutions. Similar to the House amounts, the Senate budget resolution provided $48.2 billion for discretionary veterans programs including health care, and $45.1 billion for mandatory programs. After negotiations between the House and Senate, the House agreed to an amended version of S.Con.Res. 70 (Conference Report; H.Rept. 110-659 ). The conference agreement provides $48.2 billion for FY2009 for discretionary veterans' programs, including medical care. On June 24, the House Appropriations Committee marked up the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations bill ( H.R. On August 1, the House passed H.R. 6599 . H.R. Senate Committee Action

On July 17, 2008, the Senate Appropriations Committee marked up its version of the FY2009 Military Construction and Veterans Affairs and Related Agencies Appropriations bill ( S. 3301 , S.Rept. 110-428 ). The Senate Appropriations Committee recommended $41.1 billion (excluding collections) for VHA for FY2009 (see Table 7 ). 2638 ). 110-329 . 6599 ( H.Rept. The Committee is directing the VA to increase Priority Group 8 enrollment by 10%, and has provided $568 million above the Administration's request for this purpose. 110-161 ) provided funding for VA to increase the beneficiary travel mileage reimbursement rate from 11 cents per mile to 28.5 cents per mile.
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) provides benefits to veterans who meet certain eligibility rules. 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). 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.
On February 4, 2008, the President submitted his FY2009 budget proposal to Congress. The Administration requested a total of $39.2 billion (excluding collections) for VHA. This is a 5.3% increase (or $2.0 billion) over the FY2008 enacted level. Including total available resources (including medical collections) the Administration's budget would have provided $41.1 billion for VHA.
On March 7, 2008, the House (H.Con.Res. 312) and Senate (S.Con.Res. 70) reported their respective budget resolutions. After negotiations between the House and Senate, the House agreed to an amended version of S.Con.Res. 70 (Conference Report; H.Rept. 110-659). The conference agreement provided $48.2 billion for FY2009 for discretionary veterans' programs, including medical care, and provided $45.1 billion in mandatory funding for veterans programs.
On June 24, the House Appropriations Committee marked up the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations bill (H.R. 6599; H.Rept. 110-775) for FY2009. On August 1, the House passed H.R. 6599. The House-passed measure provided $40.8 billion (excluding collections) for VHA. On July 17, 2008, the Senate Appropriations Committee marked up its version of the FY2009 Military Construction and Veterans Affairs and Related Agencies Appropriations bill (S. 3301; S.Rept. 110-428). The Senate Appropriations Committee recommended $41.1 billion (excluding collections) for VHA for FY2009.
On September 30, the President signed the H.R. 2638, the Consolidated Security, Disaster Assistance, and Continuing Appropriations Act, 2009, into law as P.L. 110-329. This act included the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Act, 2009. In total H.R. 2638 provides a total of $40.9 billion (excluding collections) for VHA.
P.L. 110-329 does not include bill language authorizing fee increases as requested by the Administration's budget proposal for the VHA for FY2009. P.L. 110-329 has provided additional funding to increase Priority Group 8 enrollment in FY2009, and to increase the mileage reimbursement rate to 41.5 cents per mile.
With the passage of H.R. 2638 (P.L. 110-329), the appropriation process for funding VHA for FY2009 was completed by Congress. This report will not be updated.