Webster Praises Passage of VA Mission Act

Washington, DC – Congressman Daniel Webster (R-Clermont), released the following statement on the passage of S.2372, the VA Mission Act of 2018.

“Today, the House passed the VA Mission Act, empowering veterans to have more control over their health care and provides more quality choices within their own communities.

“My office has received countless inquiry requests from local veterans due to failure and ineffectiveness of the Choice Program in providing quality care to our veterans. One constituent was denied for participation in the Choice Program because he lived within 40 miles of a VA clinic, despite the local clinic not offering the medical services he needed. The nearest VA facility that offered the services was more than an hour-and-a-half drive from his home. This is unacceptable.

“The VA Mission Act expands service options by removing the current 30-day, 40-mile barriers in the Choice Program. It streamlines the burdensome bureaucracy of the VA health care system by consolidating seven duplicative programs into one cohesive health care program. Funding is maintained for a year after the new program’s implementation so that veterans currently under the Choice Program can continue to receive their health care without any interruptions or lapses in service.

“We owe our veterans a debt we can never repay. I will continue to work to provide veterans with the quality, efficient and timely services they need and have earned. I thank President Trump for his support and look forward to the Senate passing this bill.”

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