Administration budget plan for veterans' health care riles advocates

The budget proposal cuts defense spending in part by increasing health care cost sharing for retired service members. Also in the news, USA Today reports that the Department of Veterans Affairs is short on psychiatrists as demand for mental health care continues to increase.

Politico: Hikes In Cost Of Veterans' Health Care Draw Fire
The Obama administration's budget proposal to cut defense spending, in part, by increasing the cost of health care for retired service members has riled veterans groups and members of Congress. "It's wrong to ask them to sacrifice more when Washington has not had the political courage to look at the big picture on the budget or the courage to address the big drivers of our debt," said Sen. Kelly Ayotte (R-N.H.), who sits on both the Senate Armed Services and Budget committees (Munsil, 4/4).

USA Today: VA Sees Shortfall Of Mental Health Specialists
As thousands of additional veterans seek mental health care every month, the Department of Veterans Affairs is short of psychiatrists, with 20 percent vacancy rates in much of the country served by VA hospitals, according to department data (Zoroya, 4/4).