Legislation is now on the way to President Obama for his signature.

NOTE from Larry Scott, VA Watchdog dot Org ... Last week the House passed advance funding for the VA budget ... that story here ...
http://www.vawatchdog.org/09/nf09/nfoct09/nf100909-3.htm

Now, the Senate has joined the House and the bill is on the way to President Obama.

Advance funding is also called advance appropriations and you can find more on the concept here ...
http://www.yourvabenefits.org/sessearch.php?q=
advance+appropriations&op=ph

However, not everyone thinks this will solve the VA's ills.  The Government Accountability Office (GAO) said in a report:

This ... could worsen the challenges VA already faces when formulating its health care budget.

So, for the other side of the coin, you can read the report here ...
http://www.vawatchdog.org/09/nf09/nfapr09/nf043009-3.htm

For further explanation we have an article from the Military Times group and a press release from the American Legion.

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VA advance funding bill clears Congress

By Rick Maze - Staff writer

http://www.airforcetimes.com/news/2009/10/m
ilitary_VA_advancefunding_101409w/

Historic legislation aimed at preventing Congress’ inability to get its work done on time from hurting veterans’ medical care is on its way to the White House for President Barack Obama’s expected signature after clearing Congress on Tuesday night.

Passage of the bill by the Senate came on the 13th day of the new fiscal year, in which lawmakers have made a case for financial safeguards by passing only one of the 13 separate appropriations measures needed to keep the federal government running. The only appropriations bill approved so far is the one that provides funding for Congress itself.

To read the rest of the article, click here ...
http://www.airforcetimes.com/news/2009/10/milit
ary_VA_advancefunding_101409w/

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The American Legion Cheers "Landmark" VA Appropriations Measure

http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/the-american-legion-chee
rs-landmark-va-appropriations-measure,999042.shtml

WASHINGTON, DC  -- A long campaign by The American Legion has come to a victorious conclusion with Senate passage yesterday of the Veterans Health Care Budget Reform and Transparency Act of 2009, better known as the "VA Advance Appropriations Bill."

The act authorizes financial appropriations for Veterans Affairs Department medical care programs one year in advance of the start of each fiscal year. It was already approved by the House of Representatives and is now on its way to President Obama's desk for signature.

National Commander Clarence E. Hill of The American Legion was greatly pleased when he learned of the Senate action last night. "Imagine having to live paycheck-to-paycheck, but not knowing how much that paycheck would be or when it would arrive," Hill said. "That's the situation the VA's Veterans Health Administration (VHA) has been in. This has resulted in hardships for the agency and even compromises in care to veterans.

"I have every confidence that President Obama will sign this act into law and thus resolve this longstanding problem," continued Hill. "This is a milestone measure and The American Legion celebrates it."

Commander Hill has sent thank you letters to congressional leaders instrumental in shepherding the bill and to President Obama. His letter to the President reads, in part:

"Your signature enacting this critical piece of legislation would be greatly appreciated and a noteworthy achievement. The American Legion believes this bill will go down in history as landmark legislation in the veterans' community."

The American Legion is hoping to schedule a signing ceremony at The White House shortly.

With a current membership of 2.5-million wartime veterans, The American Legion was founded in 1919 on the four pillars of a strong national security, veterans affairs, Americanism, and youth programs. Legionnaires work for the betterment of their communities through more than 14,000 posts across the nation.

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TOPICS: veterans, veterans' benefits, VA, Department of Veterans' Affairs, budget, advance appropriations