Early indications have been that implementing a debt ceiling and spending plan from House Republicans would threaten healthcare for veterans because of forcing massive cuts across the government to accommodate for evident factors including a forced decline in discretionary spending to 2022 levels and maintaining defense spending as it was.
The White House has alleged that 22 percent cuts across government offices and programs would be necessary to accommodate top Republicans’ ambitions. Dealing with the debt ceiling, which concerns actions the federal government can take to address spending to which authorities previously agreed, is necessary by June, and Dems have sought action without other legislative priorities, like these changes to future spending, attached. Impacts could be felt in areas as wide-ranging as veterans’ healthcare and help for families with housing and purchasing food. “Cutting funding by 22 percent would mean 30 million fewer veteran outpatient visits, and 81,000 jobs lost 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 White House said.
Longtime commentator Jon Stewart was among those concerned. “Looks like House Republicans are getting ready to break another promise to America’s Veterans…less than a year after making it!!” he posted Wednesday on Twitter. “Damn Hypocrites.” Stewart was also involved in advocating for eventually passed protections for veterans exposed to toxic chemicals via what are known as burn pits — protections that were also held up amid Republican ambitions to blindly rein in spending, while seemingly ignoring the actions of their own party’s members that have pushed such spending along when convenient.
Looks like House Republicans are getting ready to break another promise to America’s Veterans…less than a year after making it!! Damn Hypocrites. #ProtectVeteransHealthCare
— Jon Stewart (@jonstewart) April 26, 2023
