Rokita -- "Veterans Deserve the Timely and Effective Care they Were Promised

Press Release

Rep. Todd Rokita's work in reforming the Department of Veterans Affairs took another step forward today. The House considered and passed legislation that will reinforce congressional oversight of the VA, give the Secretary of the VA broader authority to dismiss failed management, and require the VA to allow veterans to receive care at non-VA facilities.

"Veterans deserve the timely and effective care they were promised. The problems that many veterans have experienced are unacceptable and the failed culture of bureaucracy must be addressed. This bill will improve access and force important reforms in the VA. I will continue fighting for our veterans by pursuing these and other remedies to correct these problems," said Rokita.

The legislation passed today was the result of a conference committee agreement between House and Senate legislation. Rep. Rokita also supported the original house legislation, H.R. 4810 - The Veterans Access to Care Act, which passed on June 10. The conference legislation retained many of the House-passed reforms. The final legislation will now be sent to the President for consideration is below.

About the Bill

On Wednesday, July 30, 2014, the House passed H.R. 3230, the Veterans Access, Choice, and Accountability Act of 2014. This bill:

Allows veterans that that have been on waiting lists for more than 30 days or that live further than 40 miles from a VA medical facility to seek treatment at a private provider using a new Veterans Choice Card.
Provides $5 billion to VA to increase access to care through the hiring of physicians and other medical staff.
Authorizes the leases for 27 major VA medical facilities in 18 states and Puerto Rico.
Authorizes the VA to fire or demote Senior Executive Service employees for poor performance or misconduct.
Reduces funding available for VA bonuses by $400 million over the next ten years.
Requires public colleges to provide in-state tuition to veterans and eligible dependents (spouses and children).

Source