From the Office of Utah Congressman Jim Matheson

MATHESON NEWS
Second Congressional District

For Further Information
Alyson Heyrend: (801) 455-5593 (cell)
www.house.gov/matheson

November 18, 2005
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Matheson Praises Vets' Nursing Home Funding

Washington DC-Cong. Jim Matheson praised the funding provided in a military appropriations bill for construction of new veterans nursing homes.  The bill-HR 2528-the Military Quality of Life/Veterans Administration Appropriations Act-includes $85 million for cost-sharing between the VA and the states.

Matheson successfully urged legislative leaders not to short-change the facilities funding. Matheson wrote a letter in September, asking that the construction grant program be increased substantially over what the House had originally provided in its version of the bill.

"Many states, including Utah, have already set aside funding for new veterans nursing homes.  However, it is unlikely that most states would be able to build new facilities without the federal contribution," Matheson wrote.

"While we face a lean budget year, this program is essential to many elderly veterans. The cost-share arrangement has a proven track record of assisting veterans in an efficient and affordable manner," said Matheson.

"Utah's veteran community is very pleased today," said Frank Maughan, state commander of the Military Order of the Purple Heart.  "We are very grateful for the assistance Congressman Matheson has given our project to provide another 120 veterans with nursing home facilities.  We now hope state legislators will recognize the efforts made in a tight federal budget year and will extend their authorization of funding another year, if necessary."

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Alyson Heyrend
Communications Director
240 East Morris Ave. #235
South Salt Lake, UT 84115
(801) 486-1236 (phone)
(801) 455-5593 (cell)
(801) 486-1417 (fax)