“Congress has been informed that the White House’s next emergency supplemental request to fight the coronavirus outbreak is expected to involve asking for roughly $16.6 billion in funding for the Department of Veterans Affairs, two people familiar with the request said.”
“One of those individuals said the department based its request on an assumption that around one in five current VA patients will need additional care due to coronavirus, and that the request could also involve an ask related to information technology needs.
While these discussions are preliminary and focus on topline figures, a Hill source familiar with the request told CNN that the funds would be used to cover unexpected costs of coronavirus related veteran care, including testing and additional supplies, not civilians or the broader public…” Read the full article here.
Source: White House weighing $16 billion request for emergency coronavirus funding for veterans – By Sarah Westwood and Zachary Cohen, March 16, 2020. CNN.