President Bush had this to say about veterans care at today's presidential press conference:

"I've called in--I asked Bob Dole and Donna Shalala to lead an important commission, a commission to make sure our veterans get the benefits they deserve.

I was concerned about bureaucratic delay and, you know, I was concerned about a system that had been in place for years, but just didn't recognize
this different nature, a different kind of war that we're fighting.

I don't like it when I meet wives who are sitting beside their husband's bed in Walter Reed and not being supported by its government, not being helped
to provide care.

I'm concerned about PTSD. And I want people to focus on PTSD.

And so we sent up a bill. And I hope they move on it quickly.

There's place where we could find common ground."

The Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America advocacy group responded to President Bush's speech yesterday on the Dole-Shalala commission. The group commends the commission's efforts, but still had this to say:

“...two urgent issues remain unaddressed.  As of October 1, the VA budget was late and a permanent replacement for VA Secretary Nicholson has yet to be named.  Secretary Nicholson announced his plans to resign in July.  We call upon the lawmakers and the White House to address these pressing matters, as well...”