Veterans Would Receive Timely Care Under House Legislation

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today the U.S. House of Representatives passed legislation to ensure all veterans receive timely health care. Congressman Kevin Cramer, an original cosponsor of the legislation, said the bill would require the VA Secretary to provide care at a non-VA clinic to veterans who experience long wait times or live more than 40 miles from a VA medical facility.

The Veterans Access to Care Act addresses rampant problems in the VA affecting the health care of veterans nationwide. It would give any enrolled veteran the option to receive non-VA care at the department’s expense if they cannot get an appointment within VA wait time goals, or if they live more than 40 miles from a VA medical facility. The provisions would sunset two years after enactment of the bill.

“The mismanagement at the VA amounts to a national veterans’ health care crisis. If the VA is incapable of meeting the needs of our veterans, it is imperative they have the option of seeking care at other facilities,” said Cramer.

The Veterans Access to Care Act is the third bill passed by the House of Representatives in response to the VA mismanagement scandal. Yesterday the House passed the Demanding Accountability for Veterans Act, which would require the Secretary of the VA to be held accountable for failing to address issues contained in independent oversight reviews from the VA Inspector General (IG). On May 21, the House passed the Department of Veterans Affairs Management Accountability Act, which would give the VA Secretary direct authority to remove or demote senior executives by submitting a notice of removal along with a reason to the House and Senate Committees on Veterans Affairs.

Senators McCain and Sanders have reached a compromise on similar legislation, however it has not yet received a vote in the U.S. Senate.