Email Update: Doctors Helping Heroes
Statement
I hope you have a wonderful Fourth of July! As we celebrate our nation's independence, here's a quick note on how I've been working to support Sacramento County's veterans.
As a doctor who's cared for veterans in the VA system, I've seen first-hand how much they've sacrificed for our country. Our heroes deserve our unwavering support.
Like many of you, I've been deeply troubled and alarmed by reports that some veterans may have died while waiting to receive medical care at a VA hospital in Arizona. We must get to the bottom of this crisis, and make sure our heroes get the first-class medical care they deserve.
That's why I introduced a new bipartisan bill last week -- the Doctors Helping Heroes Act.
My new bill works to address a serious shortage of doctors at VA hospitals across the country, which is one of the reasons some veterans have waited far too long for care. By allowing more American trained, international doctors to practice in VA hospitals, this legislation will help ensure that our heroes get the medical care they desperately need.
I've been working to fix problems at the VA since my first month in office. In fact, my Rancho Cordova office staff, including a Wounded Warrior Iraq War vet who is dedicated full-time to helping Sacramento County veterans, have helped local vets recover more than $867,000 in backlogged benefits and services owed to them by the federal government.
Last year, I also co-authored and helped pass the 21st Century Health Care for Heroes Act to streamline the electronic health record system for service members and veterans and help cut through the backlog. And I'm pushing for a comprehensive VA audit. I've also voted to deny undeserved VA bonuses, to make it easier to dismiss senior VA managers who aren't doing their jobs, and to allow veterans to get help from private doctors if they have inexcusable wait times.
But there's no question that we still have a lot more to do, and I will continue to champion the brave men and women who've served our country.
Be well,
Ami Bera, M.D.
Member of Congress
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