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(Washington, DC) U.S. Sen. Larry Craig warned his colleagues Wednesday that new legislation could overwhelm the Department of Veterans Affairs award-winning medical system and hamper its ability to provide first class medical care to recently wounded veterans.

"For the past several years, this Congress has focused intensely on the needs of our returning veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan," said Craig, the ranking member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs.  "Yet, inexplicably to me, we now seek to open the doors to veterans who already have private health insurance, no service connected disabilities and higher incomes. I don't understand that."

Under legislation adopted by the committee, as many as 17 million additional veterans would be eligible to use VA's medical system next year.  Experts say that the "likely" number of veterans to show up is probably about 1.6 million.

"It appears that the majority's answer to long lines at VA medical centers is simply to get more people standing in line. I think this is the wrong focus at the wrong time," Craig said.

The Idaho Republican had offered an amendment which would have required VA to certify that there would be no delays for high priority veterans with combat-related injuries before VA is required to open its doors to others.  Craig's amendment was not agreed to.

He noted that during his two years as Chairman of the Committee, Congress increased spending on veterans by 23 percent.  Since 2001, when President Bush took office, funding for veterans increased approximately 80 percent.

"Contrary to what some think, it's not the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan which are driving the numbers.  Our youngest, newest veterans constitute just over two percent of VA medical patients.  What we've done with that increased funding is create an award winning medical system that is treating veterans from all generations.  I want to see us provide the best care to those who need it most," Craig said.

Other legislation Craig supported passed the committee today, including one bill which seeks to improve traumatic brain injury and mental health treatment and enhance travel reimbursement - up from 10 cents per mile now to 28 cents per mile next year. The bill would also expand outreach and access to care for rural and homeless veterans, and authorize funds for the construction and updating of VA facilities.

"I am also pleased that legislation we passed in committee includes many provisions I sponsored, including a provision that would provide retroactive Wounded Warrior insurance payments to those hurt outside of a theater of combat.  This change will benefit those like Seaman Robert Roeder, whose leg was severed by an arresting wire on board an Aircraft Carrier that was on its way to the Persian Gulf.  Because his injury occurred outside of a war zone, he is not eligible for assistance, a reality that S. 1315 would remedy," Craig said.

The legislation would also expand the array of grant assistance programs available to those who have severe burn injuries.

"The prevalence of severe burn injuries is a sad reality of the present conflict.  I was pleased to work Sen. Akaka and the two Senators from Texas, Sen. Cornyn and Sen. Hutchison, the home of the military's major receiving center for burn injuries, on these provisions.  The changes we made will make a real difference in the lives of those severely burned," Craig said.

Legislation passed by the committee also includes many provisions from Craig's "Veterans' Justice Assurance Act of 2007.

"This legislation we passed in committee will help the Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims deal with its current caseload and help ensure, in the long-term, that the court has the judicial resources it needs to decide veterans' cases in a timely fashion," Craig said.

The measures adopted today will now go to the floor of the Senate for further consideration.

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