Issue Position: Veterans

Issue Position

Veterans across Texas' Fourth Congressional District are dealing with a confusing, ineffective system that simply doesn't live up to the standard of care they were promised. I am humbled to serve 63,000 veterans and I am committed to ensuring they receive the quality care they most certainly have earned.

I recently hired a full time Veterans Caseworker, Michelle Zook. Michelle is an Air Force veteran and has an ethusiatic and hard working attitude, ready to help out the veterans of the fourth district of Texas. She can be reached at the Rockwall Office.

In the wake of the VA wait list scandal last year, Congress enacted legislation to allow veterans to go outside the VA system to receive medical care. The Veterans Access, Choice and Accountability Act (H.R. 3230) was signed into law, creating a new Veterans Choice Program that required the VA to authorize private care for veterans who face a wait time of more than 30 days or live more than 40 miles from a VA facility. In November, the VA began issuing Veteran Choice Cards to veterans. The intent was for eligible veterans to use the card to obtain care from a private doctor or hospital.

Although passage of this law was a positive step forward, Congress must use aggressive oversight to ensure that it is properly implemented. According to data released by the VA, only 27,000 of 9 million veterans across the country have made an appointment using their Choice Card. Confusion about the program persists among veterans and health care providers alike.

In February, the President sent Congress his proposed budget for the coming fiscal year. In it, he proposed cutting funding for the Choice Program and spending it on other things. I am concerned that after only three months after implementation, the President would seek to abandon the program without explanation and prevent veterans choosing private health care.

In the short term, I've partnered with colleagues in sending a letter to the Secretary of the VA demanding answers to several questions. Is the President cutting funding for the program because the VA has already decided that it is unsuccessful? Although some veterans live within the 40 mile limit set by the VA to be eligible for the Choice Card program, roads seldom create such direct path. Shouldn't the 40 mile VA clinic proximity rule apply to actual road mileage? What steps are being taken to address concerns about VA facilities that are within the 40 mile limit, but do not provide the necessary medical services the veteran requires? How effective has the VA been in reimbursing health care providers who accept the Choice Card? We must obtain answers to these questions in order to develop a long term solution that actually addresses the needs of our nation's veterans. The men and women who sacrificed for our freedom must have access to the quality health care they so greatly deserve.

Hiring our Military Veterans and Protecting Their Families

As mayor of Health, Texas, John created the "Hometown Heroes" program that recognizes soldiers returning from active duty. As a member of Congress, John believes that our war-fighters deserve the utmost respect for their personal courage, sacrifices, and adherence to the American values we all hold dear. Part of the pledge that America gives its veterans is that when their service is done, we must repay their sacrifices.

We owe our veterans a debt of gratitude that can be fulfilled by working towards encouraging businesses to hire and employ veterans. One of John's first votes as a Congressman was to remove veterans and military members from the disastrous Obamacare rules, if they are on TRICARE or other benefits, effectively encouraging companies to hire veterans and repealing parts of Obamacare.

Supporting our returning military is a top priority for John, it always will be. If you are having trouble with an agency such as the Department of Veteran's Affairs, please contact your closest district office.

For more information concerning work and views related to Veterans issues, please contact our office.

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