Bipartisan Veterans Care Reform Passes House of Representatives

Press Release

Today the U.S. House of Representatives approved bipartisan legislation to establish accountability and more timely care for veterans at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). The compromise agreement combines the texts of two bills previously passed by the House. It was approved in the U.S. Senate last week.

The Veterans Access to Care Through Choice, Accountability, and Transparency Act addresses rampant problems in the VA affecting the health care of veterans nationwide. It would give any enrolled veteran the option to receive non-VA care at the department's expense if they cannot get an appointment within VA wait time goals, or if they live more than 40 miles from a VA medical facility. The provisions would sunset two years after enactment of the bill.

It also includes accountability measures, giving the VA Secretary direct authority to remove or demote senior executives when necessary by submitting a notice of removal along with a reason to the House and Senate Committees on Veterans Affairs.

"This agreement accomplishes two important priorities. It allows veterans to receive the care they need at non-VA facilities when it is necessary. It also addresses the entrenched and unaccountable bureaucracy at the VA which is the root of the problems we have learned about," said Cramer.

On Monday, Cramer held a meeting of his Veterans Advisory Board in Devils Lake to discuss the legislation and other issues affecting North Dakota veterans. Cramer said North Dakota's commitment to veterans stands in stark contrast to recent events at other VA hospitals around the country.

The board includes Army Staff Sgt. Clinton Romesha, Medal of Honor recipient, Brenda Bergsrud, Veterans Coordinator and Benefits Specialist with the North Dakota Department of Veteran Affairs, Lt. Colonel Davina French, Government Affairs Officer for the North Dakota National Guard, John Hanson, VFW National Legislative Committee Member, Rusty Ouart, Purple Heart recipient, Warren Tobin, Department Adjutant of the Disabled American Veterans, and Lonnie Wangen, Commissioner of Veterans Affairs for the State of North Dakota.

After the meeting, Cramer toured the new VA clinic under construction at Mercy Hospital in Devils Lake.

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