FOVA’s FY 2009 Recommendations:

VA Medical and Prosthetics Research Recommendation: $555 million

FY 2008: $480 million
FY 2009 Budget Request: $442 million (-$38 million)
FOVA Recommendation: $555 million (+$75 million)

Investments in veteran-centered research projects at VA have led to an explosion of knowledge that promises to advance understanding of disease and unlock strategies for prevention, treatment, and cures.  Additional funding is needed to take advantage of the burgeoning opportunities to improve quality of life for our veterans and the nation as a whole.  VA must concurrently address the needs of its longstanding patient base as well as the evolving challenges being presented by our newest veterans.

VA Research Facilities Recommendation: $45 million for improvements plus funding for one new research facility

State-of-the-art research requires state-of-the-art technology, equipment, and facilities. Yet funding for the VA medical and prosthetics research program has failed to provide the resources needed to maintain, upgrade, and replace aging research facilities. Currently, research must compete with other facility needs for basic infrastructure and physical plant support. FOVA recommends a steady stream of resources dedicated to renovating existing research facilities and major construction funding sufficient replace at least one outdated facility per year until the backlog is addressed.

VA Medical Care Recommendation: $42.8 billion

FY 2008: $39.1 billion
FY 2009 Budget Request: $41.2 billion
FOVA Recommendation: $42.8 billion (+$3.7 billion)

For more details, please go to the Independent Budget, a comprehensive budget document compiled by the veterans service organizations.