News Chronicle - Barletta and Toomey Back VA Reform Bill

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By Unknown

U.S. Rep. Lou Barletta (R-11) and U.S. Senator Pat Toomey (R-PA) recently voted for a bill that will overhaul the Veterans Administration and provide veterans with more responsive and accessible health care, according to statements from their offices.
The Veterans Access to Care through Choice, Accountability, and Transparency Act (H.R. 3230) is the product of a House-Senate conference committee and passed the House by a vote of 420-to-5. It also passed the Senate 91-3. The bill now goes to the President to sign into law.

"This is a big step in the right direction towards ensuring that our veterans have the care they need and deserve," Barletta said. "Our veterans have sacrificed so much for the country they love, and it is the least we can do to keep the promise we made to provide them with quality health care."

Toomey added, "The men and women who served in uniform should be first in line for the best quality medical care in the world. Many today are not, and this bipartisan compromise is a good step towards tackling this serious problem and restoring accountability at the VA."

Toomey said the bill "is not perfect," because he believed more spending cuts should have been sought to help pay for the bill.

The bill allows veterans to seek medical attention outside the VA system if an appointment is not available within 30 days, or if a veteran resides more than 40 miles from the nearest VA medical facility. The bill extends several existing pilot programs, including those increasing access to care for veterans with traumatic brain injuries and victims of sexual assault. It also provides funding to hire additional doctors, nurses, and medical staff, and improves education benefits for veterans and dependents.

The legislation also:

Requires an independent assessment of VA medical care and establishes a Congressional Commission on Care to evaluate access in the VA health system.

Permits the VA Secretary to fire or demote employees in an expedited fashion based on performance or misconduct, while also including due processes rights.

Requires public colleges to provide in-state tuition to veterans and eligible dependents in order for the school to remain eligible to receive G.I. Bill education payments.

Expands the Sgt. Fry Scholarship Program to provide full G.I. Bill benefits to spouses of service members who died in the line of duty after Sept. 11, 2001.

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