Budget burdens, pharmaceutical options and hyperbaric oxygen therapy are concerns North Carolina congressmen in the Senate and House of Representatives are raising with Veterans Affairs.

The budget shortfall could impact veterans across the nation with a disruption in payments as soon as October. Needed is $2.88 billion for disability and education benefits. Secretary Denis McDonough told Congress this month the projection for shortfall this year and next is $15 billion, of which $11.97 billion is for medical care next year.

Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., is one of six signatories on a Wednesday letter to Chairman Jon Tester of the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs in their chamber seeking an immediate hearing rather than waiting until the Sept. 9 resumption of session. Sens. Kevin Cramer, R-N.D.; Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn.; Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala.; Dan Sullivan, R-Alaska; and Mike Rounds, R-S.D. also signed the request.

The letter reads in part, “The sudden nature of the issue, and the sheer financial volume of the request, are both cause for concern and call into question the information previously reported by VA. Our committee is directly responsible for conducting rigorous oversight and this budget shortfall proves that VA is in desperate need of scrutiny and accountability.”