Press Releases
(Washington, DC) – Representative Daniel Webster (FL-10) issued the following statement after bipartisan passage of legislation he co-sponsored, the Veteran Access to Care Act, H.R. 4810:
“The VA health care scandal has exposed that it will take time to implement the comprehensive reforms necessary to ensure veterans receive the timely care they have earned. For many veterans waiting for care, time is exactly what they do not have.
“While the VA undergoes systemic changes to its health care delivery and scheduling processes, it is critical that we ensure vets have the access to the care they were promised. The Veteran Access to Care Act does just that by opening another avenue for vets to receive the timely, quality medical care they deserve. Those responsible for this catastrophe will be held accountable, but my primary focus is making this right for veterans who served our country.”
H.R. 4810, the Veteran Access to Care Act of 2014, directs the VA to enter into contracts with non-VA health providers for veterans who live more than 40 miles or have waited or will wait longer than the established acceptable wait-times. It also ensures VA managers will not receive bonuses during this reform effort. This legislation realizes the same pro-active, private care alternative Rep. Webster encouraged Acting Secretary Sloan Gibson to immediately implement following his appointment as acting head of the VA.
The House also passed H.R. 2072, the Demanding Accountability for Veterans Act of 2013, earlier this week to require the Inspector General of the VA to identify improvements to VA public health or safety issues that have been recommended but not implemented, and identify the VA managers responsible for instituting these necessary reforms.
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“The VA health care scandal has exposed that it will take time to implement the comprehensive reforms necessary to ensure veterans receive the timely care they have earned. For many veterans waiting for care, time is exactly what they do not have.
“While the VA undergoes systemic changes to its health care delivery and scheduling processes, it is critical that we ensure vets have the access to the care they were promised. The Veteran Access to Care Act does just that by opening another avenue for vets to receive the timely, quality medical care they deserve. Those responsible for this catastrophe will be held accountable, but my primary focus is making this right for veterans who served our country.”
H.R. 4810, the Veteran Access to Care Act of 2014, directs the VA to enter into contracts with non-VA health providers for veterans who live more than 40 miles or have waited or will wait longer than the established acceptable wait-times. It also ensures VA managers will not receive bonuses during this reform effort. This legislation realizes the same pro-active, private care alternative Rep. Webster encouraged Acting Secretary Sloan Gibson to immediately implement following his appointment as acting head of the VA.
The House also passed H.R. 2072, the Demanding Accountability for Veterans Act of 2013, earlier this week to require the Inspector General of the VA to identify improvements to VA public health or safety issues that have been recommended but not implemented, and identify the VA managers responsible for instituting these necessary reforms.
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