On Wednesday, the Senate approved the Veterans Access to Care through Choice, Accountability and Transparency Act, proposed by Senators Bernie Sanders (D-VT) and John McCain (R-AZ), which would restructure the nation’s veteran health care system. The bill would, among other things, allow veterans who experience long wait times to seek care from a non-VA provider, and would provide $500 million in unused VA funds to hire more physicians, and fund 26 new medical facilities across the nation. An audit released by the Veterans Affairs Department earlier this week revealed that 57,000 veterans have been waiting at least 90 days or more for appointments at VA hospitals.
The House is expected to debate and vote on similar language in the coming weeks.
For additional information, please contact RCRC Legislative Analyst Santinia Pasquini at (916) 447-4806 orspasquini@rcrcnet.org.