Senator Tom Harkin says the Veterans Administration budget plan making itsway through Congress doesn’t provide enough money for patient care. Theplan was approved by the House last week. A Senate subcommittee dealt withthe V-A budget this week, but Harkin says more money’s needed to ensureveterans get the kind of medical care they deserve.However, Harkin isn’t optimistic, saying the president didn’t put enoughmoney in the budget for V-A medical funds.Harkin says there are real management problems within the VeteransAdministration.Iowa has three Veterans Administration hospitals in Des Moines, Knoxvilleand Iowa City. A recent report from the V-A Medical Inspector identifiedstaffing shortages and other problems in the Iowa units.
