REP. SCOTT DESJARLAIS VOTES FOR VA MISSION ACT TO IMPROVE VETERANS’ HEALTH CARE

WASHINGTON, D.C. –  Congressman Scott DesJarlais, M.D., a member of the House Armed Services Committee, voted for the VA MISSION Act last night. The legislation, which passed the House of Representatives on a bipartisan basis and the Senate will now consider, would allow veterans to seek health care outside the Veterans Administration, if they face time, distance or other difficulties obtaining quality care within the VA system.

   “There are fantastic VA employees working hard to deliver quality care, and veterans in dire need of it. The aim of this legislation is to bring them closer together, without layers of bureaucracy too often protecting an outmoded system at the expense of those it serves,” said Rep. DesJarlais (TN-04). The President has pledged to sign the bill into law.

    The Veterans Community Care Program would allow veterans confronting subpar care at a local VA facility or upon the recommendation of a physician, to seek private care, subject to some restrictions. However, the VA MISSION Act consolidates overlapping programs, eliminating complexity, and strengthens the appeals process for veterans.  It would encourage choice among health care providers, including those operating under revamped Veterans Care Agreements, and inform employees and patients of new options.

    It includes measures to improve cost savings and efficiency at VA facilities and construction projects. Specialized management teams would deploy across the country to troubled facilities. Training and retention of skilled medical practitioners are another focus. The Veterans Community Care Program replaces the Veterans Choice Program, an early attempt by Congress to address abuse and mismanagement plaguing the VA, which news reporting exposed several years ago.

    Many veterans waiting for health care died on long waiting lists, while VA employees collected performance bonuses. “The agency has made progress, but it’s been slow,” said the Congressman, who has voted for major reforms to VA hiring and firing, whistleblower protection, and the appeals process for veterans. “Fortunately, we will have a new Veterans Home in Bradley County and more options for vets who deserve timely and effective care.”

    The Veterans Administration recently awarded a State Veterans Home Grant to Tennessee, allowing construction of a new veterans home in Cleveland, Bradley County, to move forward. The $26 million federal grant will complement existing funding from the state, local municipalities and private donors, who have been planning the home in Cleveland for years.

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