January 28, 2010

VA To Roll Out FY 2011 Budget Request

VA Priorities: Homelessness, Claims Increases and Access

What: Press conference on the Department of Veterans Affairs Fiscal Year 2011 budget request

Officials from the Department of Veterans Affairs will discuss next years proposed budget,
which will address priorities such as expanding health care to a record-number of Veterans,
reducing the number of homeless Veterans, and processing a dramatically increased number of
new disability compensation claims.

Who:
         • Secretary of Veterans Affairs Erik K. Shinseki

         • Deputy Secretary of Veterans Affairs W. Scott Gould

         • Chief of Staff John R. Gingrich

         • Acting Assistant Secretary for Management W. Todd Grams

When: Monday, Feb. 1 at 3:15 p.m.
           Camera pre-set begins 2:30 p.m.

Where: VA Headquarters
             Montgomery Conference Center (Room 230)
             810 Vermont Ave., NW, Washington, D.C.

Contacts: Katie Roberts katie.roberts@va.gov 202-461-4982

                Drew Brookie drew.brookie@va.gov 202-461-5133

For members of the media who are not able to attend, please go to our live webcast at: http://aux.audio.va.gov/ramgen/encoder/avweb2reallive2022/live.rm

Members of the media are also welcome to listen in by conference call:

Call-in Number: (800) 767-1750
Access Code: 20987#

AND ANYONE ELSE WHO HAS THIS CODE

Department spokespersons will respond to a selection of questions submitted via email during the press conference. Please send questions to: budgetquestions@va.gov.

Background

With nearly 300,000 employees, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is the second largest cabinet Department.

VA operates the nations largest integrated health care system, benefits programs from disability compensation to educational assistance and home loan guaranties, and national cemeteries that serve as national shrines to
departed Veterans.

VAs goal is to provide excellence in patient care, Veterans' benefits and customer satisfaction.

VA strives for high quality, prompt and seamless service to Veterans.

VAs employees continue to offer their dedication and commitment to help Veterans get the services they have earned.
For more information, go to: www.va.gov.