Statement By SASC Chairman John McCain on VA Secretary Shulkin's Support for the Veterans Choice Program

Statement

U.S. Senator John McCain (R-AZ) released the following statement today on Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Secretary David Shulkin's remarks yesterday at the Disabled American Veterans annual conference reiterating his support for eliminating the sunset date on the Veterans Choice Program and removing the 30-day, 40-mile rule so that all veterans have access to quality health care in their communities:

"I applaud Secretary Shulkin for agreeing that we must provide our nation's veterans increased access to care under the Veterans Choice Program. I have long supported removing the current 30-day, 40-mile rule, which has only served to limit veterans' access to care in their communities. We must ensure that every veteran has flexibility and choice -- no matter where they live or how long they have been waiting for care.

"Secretary Shulkin also stated he intends to hold employees at the VA accountable for wrongdoing and remove bad actors. To date, only one VA executive has been held responsible for the 2014 wait-time scandal. This is truly outrageous and I will continue working to ensure that we empower the VA Secretary with the authorities he needs.

"Lastly, Secretary Shulkin offered his support for eliminating the sunset date on the Veterans Choice Program while we negotiate what "Choice 2.0' will encompass. Senate Veterans Affairs Committee Chairman Johnny Isakson has also committed to making the Veterans Choice Program permanent. It is imperative that Congress take up the legislation I introduced last month with House Veterans Affairs Committee Chairman Phil Roe to eliminate the sunset date for this vital program so that veterans do not experience any gap in care.

"There is a long way to go to fully reform the VA, but I look forward to working with Secretary Shulkin, my colleagues in Congress, and President Trump to create the systemic change necessary to deliver the highest quality healthcare to our nation's veterans."

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