WASHINGTON (AP) - A House committee is proposing to cover a sudden budget shortfall in medical care for veterans by shifting money from other programs.
Veterans Affairs Secretary David Shulkin has warned that without congressional action, the department's Choice program would run out of money by mid-August.
At least six veterans' organizations, including Veterans of Foreign Wars, oppose the plan to redirect $2 billion instead of allocate more money.
The department's Choice program offers veterans federally paid medical care outside the VA and is a priority of President Donald Trump. To offset spending, the VA would trim pensions for some veterans and collect fees for housing loans.
House Republicans and Democrats have tentatively agreed on a six-month plan to allow more time to debate long-term funding and the VA's future direction.