Improving Oversight of Women Veterans' Care Act of 2018

Floor Speech

I rise in support of Congressman Correa's and Chairman Roe's bill, H.R. 4334, the Improving Oversight of Women Veterans' Care Act.

The gentleman from California has proven over the course of his time in Congress that he is a dedicated advocate for our fastest growing population of veterans: female veterans. His experience working on behalf of veterans in the State of California in the legislature has translated into an informed compassion that has earned the respect of the committee.

Mr. Speaker, H.R. 4334 does require VA to exercise proper oversight of community care providers it contracts with in order to provide sex- specific healthcare to women when its facilities do not have the equipment or the specialists necessary to care for them.

The latest study by the RAND Corporation confirms that VA delivers superior healthcare to veterans, when compared to the private sector. Previous independent studies confirm this.

For this reason, VA should better monitor the quality of care received by women in the community, and this bill would require that careful monitoring so that women veterans receive high-quality care.

VA should always remain at the center of managing veterans' healthcare. And managing the care veterans receive in the community by only contracting with high-quality providers with the competence to provide treatment to veterans is a major part of ensuring that they receive the highest quality care.
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Mr. WALZ. Brownley), a champion of veterans--a champion in many areas--and on this issue of treating our female veterans with the dignity, respect, and services that they have earned.

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Mr. WALZ. Mr. Speaker, I would certainly encourage my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on this important piece of legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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