Rep. French Hill (AR-02) released the following statement after proudly voting for the H.R. 5674, the VA Mission Act, which passed the House 347 to 70:
"I was proud to support this bill -- which builds upon the VA Accountability Act the House passed last year -- because delivering timely and quality care for our veterans is non-negotiable. I know how hard my three Arkansas-based veterans caseworkers -- themselves combat veterans -- have worked to cut through VA red tape to deliver over $2 million for central Arkansas's veterans just this year, and this measure will make their jobs a bit easier and allow our team to help even more veterans. I was proud to testify on behalf of central Arkansas's veterans before the Veterans' Committee today about the VA's Choice Program "40-mile rule' and what improvements must be made to ease the burden for Arkansas's veterans, and I am pleased that the improvements I suggested are included the bill passed today."
Background:
The VA MISSION Act, S.2372, streamlines the VA's community care programs into one cohesive program, creates a non-partisan process for reviewing VA's assets, increases accountability to healthcare providers, and expands VA's Post-9/11 Caregiver Program to all eras. It also includes funding for the Choice Program, which is expected to run out of funds as early as May 31, 2018.