Plan would divert $2B into VA medical care program

WASHINGTON — A House committee unveiled a disputed plan Friday to allow the Department of Veterans Affairs to shift $2 billion from other programs to cover a sudden budget shortfall that could threaten medical care for thousands of patients in the coming weeks.

The proposal by the House Veterans Affairs Committee would provide a six-month funding fix to the department’s Choice program, which offers veterans federally paid medical care outside the VA and is a priority of President Donald Trump. To offset spending, the VA would trim pensions for some veterans and collect fees for housing loans.

At least six veterans’ organizations, including the Veterans of Foreign Wars, immediately announced their opposition to the House plan.

VA Secretary David Shulkin has warned that the Choice program would run out of money by mid-august without congressional action.

A House vote is planned next week.

Meanwhile, New Hampshire’s only veterans hospital has appointed two more interim leaders as whistleblower doctors continue to call for a third-party investigation into substandard treatment and conditions.

Shulkin removed hospital Director Danielle Ocker and Chief of Staff James Schlosser and ordered a review of the Manchester VA Medical Center this week after the Boston Globe reported on physician complaints that the facility is endangering patients.