The House passed a bill Tuesday which would allow veterans to go outside of the VA system to seek private care . The bill passed unanimously, 426-0. A bipartisan bill is in the works in the Senate.
The bill would require the VA to offer care through private facilities to veterans who endure long wait times or live over 40 miles from a VA facility, USA Today reports. The bill would also reimburse providers at a rate set by the government, and would ban bonuses for VA employees for the next two years.
via USA Today:
“The news about VA’s delays in care crisis just keeps getting worse,” said Rep. Jeff Miller, R-Fla., who introduced the bill. “It’s unfortunate I have to introduce legislation toaddress this problem, because the department has had the authority to offer veterans health care services outside of the VA system for years.”
The Senate bill is co-authored by Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) and Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT). It maintains bipartisan support.
via USA Today:
“No one who serves our country should wait in line to get thehealth care that they need when they come home,” Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., said on the Senate floor Tuesday. “I am delighted that both sides are working very expeditiously to move this legislation forward, and I hope that we can take it up as soon as possible and move it without it becoming political on either side.”
Both houses are pushing to get the bill sent to the President’s desk before the July 4th weekend.
It’s nice to see both parties getting along for the sake of our veterans, but it’s a shame that only a scandal could bring them together.
http://www.ijreview.com/2014/06/146616-win-vets-house-unanimously-passes-bill-allowing-veterans-get-private-care/
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