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Legislative bills

House GOP's Debt Ceiling Bill Would Devastate Veterans with 30 Million Medical Appointments Slashed and 81,000 Jobs Cut

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Democratic Whip Katherine Clark (MA-5) met with Revere veterans to discuss the devastating impacts of the Republican Default on America Act, which passed the U.S. House on April 26, 2023. The Republican debt ceiling bill would slash approximately 30 million medical appointments and 81,000 jobs across the Veterans Health Administration, leaving veterans unable to get appointments for care, including wellness visits, cancer screenings, mental health services, and substance use disorder treatment. The proposed cuts would delay treatment for veterans exposed to toxic substances, increase the disability case backlog by 134,000, and dramatically increase wait times to receive vital health care. The veterans' representatives expressed concern about how cuts would increase veteran suicide, as veterans already die from suicide at a rate far higher than non-veterans.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Republican Default on America Act would eliminate 30 million medical appointments for veterans, including mental health care, substance abuse treatment, and cancer screenings.
  • The bill would cut approximately 81,000 jobs across the Veterans Health Administration, leaving veterans without access to appointments for care.
  • The proposed cuts would delay treatment for veterans exposed to toxic substances, increasing the disability case backlog by 134,000.
  • Wait times for vital health care, such as mental health counseling and cancer screenings, would dramatically increase.
  • The veterans expressed concern that cuts would increase veteran suicide, as they already die from suicide at a rate far higher than non-veterans.
  • Congresswoman Katherine Clark has fought to protect the rights of veterans, including passing the historic Honoring our PACT Act and securing nearly $5 million in federal benefits for veterans in the Fifth District.
  • Revere City Councilor and Army veteran Marc Silvestri commended Congresswoman Clark's efforts to raise awareness about the impact of budget cuts to the VA.

Statistics:

  • Approximately 30 million medical appointments for veterans would be eliminated, including mental health care, substance abuse treatment, and cancer screenings.
  • 81,000 jobs across the Veterans Health Administration would be cut.
  • The disability case backlog would increase by 134,000.
  • Veterans already die from suicide at a rate far higher than non-veterans.
  • Congresswoman Katherine Clark has secured nearly $5 million in federal benefits for veterans in the Fifth District during her time in office.

Sources:

  • United States House of Representatives - Congresswoman Katherine Clark (5th District of Massachusetts)
  • Department of Veterans Affairs
  • Revere City Councilor and Army veteran Marc Silvestri

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