LANSING — WLNS reported today that Rep. Tom Barrett is a lead co-sponsor of H.R. 143, which could “codify the DOGE approach into law, establishing a legal path for an administration to cut services, including VA health care.”
The bill could “put more than $100 billion in annual VA medical funding on a three-year countdown clock,” threatening programs that provide veterans’ health care – including parts of the PACT Act. In response, Michigan Democratic Party Chair Curtis Hertel released the following statement:
“After serving our nation, the last thing our veterans should have to worry about is whether their healthcare will be protected. Amid Trump’s attacks on healthcare, Rep. Barrett should be focused on ensuring veterans’ access to care, not threatening it.”
Read more from WLNS:
- Rep. Tom Barrett is defending his co-sponsorship of a bill that would put more than $100 billion in annual VA medical funding on a three-year countdown clock, pushing back sharply against critics when asked whether the measure could threaten veterans’ healthcare.
- At the center of programs under expired authorizations is the Veterans’ Health Care Eligibility Reform Act of 1996, the law underpinning VA medical services…That money funds primary care, mental health services, specialty care and the hospital infrastructure that serves more than 9 million enrolled veterans nationwide.
- A second program under the CBO’s report is Section 702(c) of the PACT Act, which authorized VA medical facility lease funds for fiscal year 2023.
- Democratic critics argue that H.R. 143 would codify the DOGE approach into law, establishing a legal path for an administration to cut services, including VA health care, if Congress fails to reauthorize programs in time.
- U.S. Rep. Jason Crow, D-Colo., a former U.S. Army officer who completed three tours in Iraq, criticized Barrett’s bill, arguing it “betrays” veterans. “Tom Barrett already voted to cut healthcare for Michiganders to justify tax breaks for billionaires,” said Crow. “We made a promise to our veterans, and this bill betrays that promise. Michigan vets deserve better from their leaders than proposals that’ll put their care on the chopping block.”
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