CONGRESSMAN DAVID VALADAO | Representing the 21st Congressional District of California

On Wednesday, September 28, 2016, United States Congressman David G. Valadao (CA-21) introduced legislation to ensure veterans receive quality and timely healthcare from the Department of Veterans Affairs.
 
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is responsible for providing healthcare for our nation’s veterans. However, in recent years, the VA has failed to fulfill this responsibility, jeopardizing the health and well being of those who have served our country. The VA’s inability to efficiently schedule medical care for our veterans has resulted in substantial backlog and failure to provide adequate care.
 
H.R. 6207, the Act to Improve VA Timing and Efficiency (ACTIVATE) would assist the VA in scheduling prompt medical appointments so our veterans are able to access the quality and efficient care they depend on through the Veterans Health Administration.

Congressman David Valadao stated, “Across the country, veterans are waiting months, and sometimes years, for necessary care and treatment through VA medical centers. This is simply unacceptable.” He continued, “ACTIVATE offers the Veterans Health Administration a practical avenue to reform their current system, ensuring our nation’s heroes receive the quality healthcare they deserve when they need it.”

ACTIVATE would encourage the Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs to seek outside help from professional medical schedulers to assist with scheduling logistics the Veterans Health Administration is currently unable to sufficiently manage. These professional medical schedulers have demonstrated a strong ability to efficiently administrate the scheduling of medical appointments ranging from initial appointments and home healthcare visits, to follow-up appointments and lab work. By utilizing these outside professionals, the VA can ascertain veterans will be able to expeditiously access the medical care they need.

H.R. 6207, the Act to Improve VA Timing and Efficiency (ACTIVATE) was introduced in the United States House of Representatives on Wednesday, September 28, 2016 by Congressman David G. Valadao (CA-21). Original cosponsors of the legislation include Representatives Mike Bishop (MI-8), Ken Calvert (CA-42), Chris Collins (NY-27), Jim Costa (CA-16), Carlos Curbelo (FL-26), Jeff Denham (CA-10), Lynn Jenkins (KS-02), David Joyce (OH-14), Steve King (IA-04), Steve Knight (CA-25), Tom McClintock (CA-04), Devin Nunes (CA-22), Jim Sensenbrenner (WI-05), Elise Stefanik (NY-21), and Daniel Webster (FL-10).
 
More information on H.R. 6207 can be found here. Full text of the legislation can be found here. 
 
Congressman David G. Valadao represents the 21^st Congressional District, which includes Kings County and portions of Fresno, Tulare, and Kern Counties.

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