Congress recently created a new spending subcommittee to focus specifically on Military Quality
of Life Issues. The subcommittee funds veterans health care, health programs for current service
members, military housing, and military construction.
On May 26, the House passed the first-ever Military Quality of Life Appropriations Bill, H.R.
2528, by a broad bipartisan vote of 425-1. H.R. 2528 provides:
- $21 billion for veterans medical services, $1 billion over the President's request and $1.6
billion above the previous funding level,
- $20 billion for the Defense Health Program, including a requirement to enhance medical
information sharing between the Department of Defense and the Veterans Administration,
and
- $13.3 billion to help service members afford housing for themselves and their families.
