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Veterans nominee pledges action on payment swings

By Times wire
Published January 25, 2005

WASHINGTON - The man nominated to run the Department of Veterans Affairs said Monday he would work to ensure that veterans across the country are given the same treatment, regardless of where they live.

Jim Nicholson, who was nominated by President Bush to lead the massive agency that provides health care and disability payments to America's veterans, said it was a "real issue" that veterans in different states are awarded different levels of compensation. The reasons for those differences, however, are still something of a mystery.

Nicholson made the comments in testimony to the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee, which unanimously voted to approve his nomination. The full Senate will vote on his nomination soon, and he is expected to sail through.

If confirmed, he will replace Anthony Principi, who has served as leader of the agency since early in Bush's first term. Nicholson previously was chairman of the Republican National Committee and most recently served as U.S. ambassador to the Vatican.

The issue of state-by-state variation stems from figures compiled by the VA that show veterans in some states getting far higher annual payments than veterans in other states. For example, while the average payment for disability compensation is $7,861, veterans in New Mexico receive an average of $10,851 but veterans in Ohio only receive an average $6,710, according to the VA's most recent annual report.

"It's a problem that has plagued the system for decades," said David Autry, a spokesman for Disabled American Veterans, a nonprofit group that helps veterans apply for benefits. "We're certainly hopeful Secretary-designate Nicholson steps up to the plate and addresses it."

If confirmed, Nicholson said it was "a high priority" to better understand the regional disparities.

In related news Monday:

--Asa Hutchinson, a top Homeland Security Department official, resigned his post after being passed over twice by the White House to be secretary of the agency.

Hutchinson is undersecretary in charge of border and transportation security issues. His resignation is effective March 1.

--On a voice vote, the Senate confirmed Carlos Gutierrez as the new commerce secretary.

[Last modified January 25, 2005, 01:21:08]