Enyart: $15B In Emergency Funding For VA

U.S. Congressman Bill Enyart (IL-12) voted in support of the bipartisan Veterans Access, Choice and Accountability Act, H.R. 3230 today. The bill provides additional funding to improve veterans' access to healthcare.

"Our veterans deserve the best healthcare the United States can provide," said Enyart. "This bill provides for three main provisions that are crucial to improving the VA system. One, the bill gives the VA funding to hire additional physicians. Two, it provides funding for and gives vets the ability to seek care at private practices. And three, it gives the VA much needed flexibility to remove problem employees. It's not perfect, but it's a good start to get our veterans the help they need."

The bill was brokered as a bipartisan agreement between both chambers of Congress, and was passed in the House of Representatives today. The bill includes $10 billion in emergency funding for expanded health care options for veterans, $5 billion in emergency funding to bolster care within the VA, and $2 billion in non-emergency funding for other services for veterans and their families.

"Our veterans have dealt with enough hurdles," Enyart stated yesterday. "Our veterans deserve the benefit of additional physicians and the option to seek care outside VA facilities if necessary. I've personally met with dozens of veterans, front line staff workers, and families at VA facilities across Southern Illinois -- and I hear the same thing time and time again. Facilities are under staffed, and don't have the resources they need. This bill would help to alleviate those problems, and I fully support the additional funding. We must do this for our veterans."

Since May, Enyart has been working with the Marion VA Facility to ensure timely access to healthcare for veterans in Southern Illinois. Additionally, he has made impromptu visits to the Marion VA Hospital, the Marion VA outpatient facility, and the Belleville VA outpatient facility. He plans to continue making unscheduled stops throughout the region. The 12th Congressional District of Illinois has the highest number of veterans of any district in the state -- including the Chicago area.

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