Sen. Daniel Akaka called yesterday for a $2.9 billion increase in veterans' medical care over President Bush's budget request.

The increase would include an additional $300 million for treatment of traumatic brain injuries and $693 million for Veterans Affairs mental-health programs.

The additional money "would also provide VA with resources to absorb the thousands of service members presently on medical hold at Walter Reed and in other military facilities," Akaka, D-Hawai'i, said on the Senate floor, according to a transcript of his speech provided by his Washington office.

Substandard conditions at Walter Reed Army Medical Center have been criticized by members of Congress.

"We believe that this ($2.9 billion) is the total amount necessary to treat all eligible veterans, from WWI to the present, and maintain the quality of VA medical services through the upcoming fiscal year," Akaka said.

Akaka, chairman of the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee, said he intended to hold a hearing this month on the cooperation between VA and the Department of Defense on the treatment of injured service members.