The spending plan would expand an Obama administration program that Congress approved after the wait-times scandal to allow veterans to see private doctors, with VA requesting an additional $3.5 billion from Congress to continue the “Veterans Choice” option.

Other new spending would cover programs that keep veterans out of homeless shelters and help them transition from military to civilian life.

The budget offers few specifics on how the agency would spend the extra money. But some of it would continue investments underway to modernize VA’s antiquated benefit claims system, which has accumulated a large backlog in appeals. Some claims still are handled on paper.

Sourced through Scoop.it from: www.washingtonpost.com