Noteboom The Law Firm

Paralyzed Veterans Of America Fighting For Funding

Paralyzed veterans face many seemingly overwhelming situations in almost all aspects of their lives, especially if the injuries are recent. Bill Lawson is the President of Paralyzed Veterans of America, and he recently testified in front of both the House and Senate Veterans' Affairs Committees in an attempt to prevent them from cutting his funding.

Lawson's testimony focused on advocating for the continued ability to have the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) provide health care to paralyzed veterans. Lawson refers to his funding as an "incomparable resource..."

Lawson spoke to the proposed budget cuts in consideration by Congress. His testimony further stressed how many services the VA health care system provides for paralyzed veterans are not available in the civilian market; specifically treatment for injuries to spinal cords.

During his testimony, Lawson spotlighted the existing financial strain under which much of the VA health care system operates. He highlighted such budget crunches by pointing out:

 

·      shortages in nationwide critical care staff;

·      shortages in nationwide bedside nurses;

·      national staff shortages causing unavailability of beds for SCI patients; and

·      overall system deficits in available beds with no available beds west of the Mississippi.

           

In addition to highlighting current problems, Lawson also made suggestions for the budget, which focused on how he believed the budget should be structured.