In a 91 to 3 vote, the Senate just passed bipartisan legislation that will implement key changes to Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) medical facilities. A compromise between bills previously passed by the House and Senate, the legislation will allow veterans to seek private care if VA doctors are unable to treat patients within 30 days or if veterans live more than 40 miles away from a VA facility. The legislation also includes a number of provisions that will provide needed reforms to the VA health care system. Increasing accountability and providing veterans facing unacceptable waits for VA medical care with the option to receive private-sector treatment are positive steps. I am hopeful that President Obama will swiftly sign it into law. Earlier this week, I voted to confirm Bob McDonald, a Gary, Indiana native and former Chief Executive Officer of Procter & Gamble, to serve as the next secretary of the VA. Passing this legislation and confirming a new VA secretary marks a turning point and a chance for a fresh start. We need to keep the promises our country has made to its veterans.
Posted on: Fri, 01 Aug 2014 00:56:22 +0000
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