Today Congressman Denny Heck, D-Wash., applauded the vote by the U.S. Senate to confirm Robert McDonald as secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs, and the bipartisan agreement reached for final passage of the Veterans Access to Care Act.
"With his mix of private sector and military experience, I'm encouraged that Secretary McDonald will be the change agent the system needs moving forward," Heck said. "I hope we can now better prepare for and react swiftly to the changing needs of our veterans."
Heck also called for swift passage of the Veterans Access to Care Act.
"Now that the House and Senate have an agreement on the Veterans Access to Care Act, both chambers should pass this bill as soon as possible in order for the VA Health System to tackle the backlogs and ensure that every veteran receive the necessary care they deserve," Heck said.
The Veterans Access to Care Act allows veterans located more than 40 miles from a VA facility to access private care, allows the VA to hire more medical personnel, authorizes upgrades to VA facilities, and gives the VA Secretary the ability to remove or demote employees for misconduct and/or poor performance.
Heck had previously asked for a criminal investigation regarding the conduct of employees at the VA that fraudulently misrepresented waiting periods.
On June 12, Heck introduced The Commission for Our Veterans Care Act and Our Vets Deserve Better Act to find solutions to improve the existing VA health care system. The Our Vets Deserve Better Act addresses the immediate need for changes, while the Commission for Our Veterans' Care Act will offer proactive, long-term analysis and oversight to ensure that the VA Health Care System fits the needs of America's veterans. Representatives Derek Kilmer and Suzan DelBene, D-Wash., also cosponsored The Commission for Our Veterans Care Act.