Spending on veterans exceeds 1947 high
July 23rd, 2008From USA Today:
The federal government is spending more money on veterans than at any time in modern history, surpassing the tidal wave of spending following World War II and the demilitarizing of millions of troops.
Expenditures hit $82 billion in 2007, because of the rising cost of health care, the expense of caring for an aging population of mostly Vietnam War veterans and a new crop of severely wounded troops from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
There is concern that costs will continue to be driven upward by the high incidence of traumatic brain injuries among Iraq and Afghanistan veterans. A recent Rand Corp. study said annual costs for a severe head injury can reach $400,000.


