John Ratcliffe Sends Letter to Secva on Veterans Choice Program

Statement

Congressman John Ratcliffe and 28 fellow Members of Congress requested that Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Secretary Robert McDonald provide details on implementation and funding for the recently enacted Veterans Choice program. The administration recently proposed a reduction in resources in the president's Fiscal Year 2016 budget. The program, a cornerstone of the Veterans Access, Choice and Accountability Act, was signed into law last August to expand choice for veterans living in rural areas and those facing lengthy wait times. After the VA's waitlist scandal, Congress enacted this legislation to allow veterans to go outside the VA system and get private medical care.

"Hearing directly from veterans last week at the American Legion Post in Greenville about their frustrations with the VA underscores the unfortunate fact that the VA system is simply not living up to its promises. Beyond this letter, I intend to continue an ongoing dialogue with the 57,000 veterans I'm privileged to represent about the challenges and frustrations they face on a daily basis," said Ratcliffe. "I am committed to being a tireless advocate for those who have risked their lives for our freedom and use their stories in Washington to help advance the national debate on this important issue. I will continue to work with the Chairman of the Veterans' Affairs Committee to prevent the VA from blocking veterans' access to private, and often life-saving, health care. The administration should not be allowed to start implementing a program in November, and then throw in the towel three months later with no explanation."

Source