On Wednesday, July 30, the House of Representatives passed the Veterans’ Access to Care Through Choice, Accountability, and Transparency Act (H.R. 3230). Importantly, this bill will require the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to allow eligible veterans to receive care outside of the VA system at non-VA facilities if that veteran resides more than 40 miles from the nearest VA medical facility – as is often the case in the Ninth District – or if that veteran is unable to obtain an appointment within a 30-day timeframe.
This bill will also give the VA greater authority to hold accountable and fire those higher-ups at the VA who, in failing to meet to their obligation to ensure quality, timely care, fail our nation’s veterans.
We were all rightfully horrified by reports of delays in basic medical screenings at VA hospitals or clinics throughout the country, which may have caused serious injuries or led to the deaths of a number of veterans. This is completely unacceptable, and these systemic failures must never again happen at the VA to the detriment of those the agency serves – our nation’s veterans.
I thank those who worked to negotiate the bipartisan, bicameral agreement, including my friend Congressman Phil Roe (R-TN, Johnson City), and am confident that it will be swiftly signed into law.
– Congressman H. Morgan Griffith
