On July 19, 2017

PTSD center in White River Junction poised for full funding

By Elizabeth Hewitt, VTDigger

WHITE RIVER JUNCTION—A national Veterans Affairs center headquartered in White River Junction is likely to be fully funded in the next fiscal year.

In the version of a budget bill that passed the Senate Appropriations Committee on Thursday, July 13, the National Center for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder was fully funded at $40 million.

The Trump administration’s budget request for the center was $19.7 million, according to legislative documents.

The center, headquartered in White River Junction, focuses on researching and developing treatments for post-traumatic stress disorder, which can affect veterans who have been through combat or other stressful experiences.

The center, which is a division of the Department of Veteran’s Affairs, also works to spread information throughout the country to improve treatment of PTSD among veterans and the general public, according to its website.

The proposal the Senate committee approved last week would put funding for the center at levels equal to the current fiscal year.

The bill, which sets the funding levels for military construction and Veteran’s Affairs, was the first of 12 appropriations bills the committee approved this year. The 31-member committee passed the bill unanimously.

The budget includes $88.9 billion in spending on a wide range of military infrastructure projects and veterans’ services, an increase of $6.1 million over the current fiscal year.

Speaking at a Senate Appropriations Committee hearing Thursday, Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., vice chair of the committee, praised several initiatives in the legislation — including funding for the center in White River Junction.

A parallel budget bill that passed the House Appropriations Committee earlier this year also includes full funding for the PTSD research center.

Other items in the Senate bill include $9.5 billion for construction of military infrastructure projects such as housing for military families and operational facilities.

It also increases the money available for medical services through the VA by $1.9 million, for a total of $46.8 billion.

There was strong support for the legislation in the committee last week, with lawmakers on both ends of the political spectrum praising the bill.

The bipartisan vote played out against a backdrop of uncertainty and turmoil surrounding the larger budget picture.

Typically, each chamber’s budget committee set spending limits for the next fiscal year. However, neither the House nor Senate has yet approved budget numbers for fiscal year 2018.

Do you want to submit feedback to the editor?

Send Us An Email!

Related Posts

Vermont’s adult loon population is at an all-time high, but fewer chicks are surviving

July 2, 2025
By Izzy Wagner/VTDigger Vermont’s adult loon population is at an all-time high, but scientists have noticed a recent decrease in the number of chicks surviving. In 2024, Vermont saw a record-breaking 123 nesting pairs, 11 of which landed at first-time nesting sites. Out of the 125 loon chicks that hatched in 2024, 65% survived through the…

Vermont State University graduates 414 nurses, boosting local health care workforce

July 2, 2025
Vermont State University (VTSU) has graduated 414 new nurses this year, marking a significant step forward in addressing the state’s ongoing health care workforce shortage. With approximately 92% of these graduates testing for licensure in Vermont and strong NCLEX pass rates, the university continues to deliver on its promise to educate and prepare nurses who…

VT Agency of Education announces summer food service program

July 2, 2025
The Agency of Education announced the availability of summer meal sites providing meals to all children, 18 and under, through the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP). This program ensures that children across the state have access to nutritious meals throughout the summer. Families are encouraged to access these meals to help support children’s growth, health,…

Sanders restores $17m for Vt schools canceled by Trump

July 2, 2025
Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont), ranking member of the Senate health, education, labor, and pensions (HELP) committee, June 27 announced that the U.S. Dept. of Education reversed its decision to cancel nearly $17 million in federal K-12 Covid-19 funding for Vermont school districts and some $2.5 billion for schools across the country. The administration’s announcement follows…