WASHINGTON – Today the House voted unanimously to pass H.R. 4810 the Veterans Access to Care Act, a bill cosponsored by U.S. Representative Bill Shuster (R-Hollidaysburg) to help alleviate the current crisis at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). The legislation will give veterans timely access to medical care even when they cannot be seen within a reasonable time frame at a VA facility.

“The veterans who took it upon themselves to defend this nation are heroes,” said Rep. Shuster. “They deserve not only our gratitude, but also access to the best medical care we can provide. They have put themselves in harms way to protect this country, and the current scandal at the VA is an absolute disgrace. Every day new details emerge showing just how badly this situation has been mismanaged, and at least 23 have already died as a result. That is not how America takes care of its veterans, and we need action immediately to prevent any more from being harmed.”

The Veterans Access to Care Act compels the VA to offer care at non-VA facilities in any instance where an enrolled veteran cannot get an appointment within the limit of the VA’s wait-time goals. Veterans would also have this option if they live over 40 miles from the nearest VA medical facility, and care would be paid for at the department’s expense. Also included in the legislation is a ban on bonuses for all VA employees from FY2014 through FY2016.

“It’s time to bring accountability to the VA, and start providing immediate solutions that help ease the backlog as soon as possible,” continued Rep. Shuster. “This legislation is an important first step, and will allow veterans to begin seeing doctors and getting the care they need without delay. Our heroes cannot wait any longer for the medical attention they rightfully deserve, and this bill will help get them get it.”

A recent internal audit conducted by the Department of Veterans Affairs of 731 facilities revealed that 90% of incoming veterans waited for three months or more for their first appointment. 13 percent of administrative schedulers were directed by their superiors to falsify records of wait-times, while 76 percent of facilities showed at least one instance of record alteration. The audit also found that 57,000 veterans have been waiting more than 90 days for an appointment, while 64,000 requested medical care but were never added to the waiting list.

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