Funds for Orlando VA Hospital $480 million short

The Orlando VA hospital is one of only two new such construction projects getting money this year; a Denver hospital got $20 million. Orlando's plans call for a 134-bed hospital, a clinic, a 120-bed nursing home and a 60-bed "domiciliary," which can house vets who are homeless, going through rehabilitation and or who don't need as much care as they would get in a nursing home.

VA officials said $74 million already has been set aside in past budgets -- including money to buy the hospital's site at Lake Nona. An additional $583 million is needed, including the $120 million Bush proposed Monday, to pay for design, site development and construction of the nursing home and domiciliary, VA officials said.

$120 million not enough for VA hospital, Orlando-area veterans say
Tamara Lytle | Chief Washington Correspondent
February 5, 2008

WASHINGTON - President Bush put $120 million in his proposed budget Monday for the long-awaited Orlando VA hospital, but area veterans said they were disappointed that more of the nearly $600 million needed will not come right away.

Michael Kussman, undersecretary of health at the Department of Veterans Affairs, said $120 million is all the agency needs this year to begin work on the facility.

"There's a commitment from this administration and the VA to build that facility," Kussman said, adding that Central Florida veterans "should have confidence the money will be forthcoming."

But area veterans are not so trusting after waiting years for a hospital. Orlando is the largest metropolitan area in the country without a VA hospital, forcing veterans to drive to Tampa or Gainesville for care.

"What a disappointment," said retired Air Force Col. Joseph Kittinger, a decorated veteran. "All of the politicians give lip service to the veterans, but that is all it is, lip service." He added, though, that the $120 million "is a start and better than nothing."

Jerry E. Pierce, president of Central Florida Veterans Inc., was more critical. "That number does not do the trick," he said. "When it comes to treating veterans properly and taking care of them, to leave them on the short end of the stick is just wrong."

Sen. Mel Martinez, R-Fla., and Rep. Tom Feeney, R-Oviedo, both said they will work on adding more money for the hospital as the budget moves through Congress.

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Orlando only has a clinic.