LaMalfa Urges VA to Increase Medical Care for Vets in Rural Areas

Washington, DC – Yesterday, Representative LaMalfa (R-CA) attended the House Committee on Veterans Affairs’ oversight hearing and questioned the Department of Veterans Affairs on its implementation of H.R.3230, the Veterans Access, Choice, and Accountability Act of 2014 (VACAA). Passed with bi-partisan support from Congress and signed by President Obama on August 7th, H.R. 3230 directs the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to establish the “Choice Program” to allow eligible veterans to use healthcare providers outside of the VA. The measure authorized almost $17 billion in funding for the VA to increase medical staffing, open new facilities, including two in the First District, and fund VA-sponsored treatment by private sector medical facilities.

Rep. LaMalfa’s questioning centered on the fact that despite clear legislative instructions, the VA is still not aligned with the congressional intent of H.R. 3230: to provide quick access to quality care, especially for the many Veterans who live in rural areas, of which there are many in the North State. The VA’s continued struggle to comply with the measure drew criticism from many members of Congress who were united in their concern.

“The bottom line is that our veterans must get the medical care and attention—not just that they need to remain healthy—but the medical attention they deserve because they have served our nation with honor, courage, and sacrifice,” stated LaMalfa. “These men and women have served their country honorably, yet they are still being forced through hoops to have access to basic care. If there’s a question about whether a veteran qualifies or not, we need to give them the benefit of the doubt.”

“In America, we must take care of those who have sacrificed to defend our country, regardless of whether those veterans live in cities, suburbs, or rural areas,” LaMalfa added. “I will continue to fight for quality care for our soldiers until the Department of Veterans Affairs follows through in stewarding both funds and flexibility to serve those who have served our nation.”

Video of LaMalfa’s exchange with VA officials may be found at the following link: http://youtu.be/6m67YoMPawY

Doug LaMalfa is a lifelong farmer representing California’s First Congressional District, including Butte, Glenn, Lassen, Modoc, Nevada, Placer, Plumas, Shasta, Sierra, Siskiyou and Tehama Counties. 

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