Maloney, Stefanik Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Get Vets the Care They Earned

Press Release

Reps. Sean Patrick Maloney (NY-18) and Elise Stefanik (NY-21) introduced the Get Veterans a Doctor Now Act, legislation designed to allow the United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to compete with the private sector for the best doctors. The current system bars the VA from offering doctors conditional job offers two years prior to graduation, unlike private sector hospitals, which have more recruitment tools at their disposal. This bipartisan legislation would lift this restriction and level the playing field.

"Our nation's veterans have sacrificed so much for all of us. The least we can do is make sure they have access to the best doctors available," said Rep. Maloney. "There are more than 40,000 unfilled medical positions at the VA -- that needs to change. Helping the VA compete for talent is a step in the right direction. We've got strong bipartisan support for this legislation -- let's do our part to support these heroes and get this bill passed."

"Veterans deserve access to the best possible doctors for their unique health care needs," said Rep. Stefanik. "Unfortunately, the current system does not allow the VA to begin recruiting doctors until after they have completed their residency. This has resulted in a much smaller pool of candidates to choose from, and puts veterans at a disadvantage with longer wait times and oftentimes a lower standard of care. I'm proud to continue my strong record of veteran advocacy by cosponsoring this bipartisan, life-saving legislation."

This bill was introduced as part of Maloney's four-part legislative package designed to support veterans in the Hudson Valley and across the country. The Maloney Veterans Agenda, which includes new and reintroduced legislation, aims to get veterans the care and resources they need when they return from their service to our nation. It includes the Know Your Vets Act, which would enhance veterans' transition out of the military; the Never Forgotten Korean War POW Act, to ensure POWs are fairly compensated for their service and sacrifice; the Disabled Veterans Red Tape Reduction Act, which would cut red tape and waits for disabled veterans; and the Get Veterans a Doctor Now Act, which provides veterans access to the best doctors.

Rep. Maloney, the son of a Navy veteran, has a track record of getting things done for Hudson Valley veterans, despite Washington gridlock. Since coming to office, Rep. Maloney has returned over $6.7 million to Hudson Valley veterans owed payment from the federal government and passed five veterans bills into law.

In December 2015, Rep. Maloney's Wounded Warrior Employment Improvement Act was signed into law to reform the VA's Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E) program, the key employment program to help assist, train and find jobs for veterans who have compensable service-connected disabilities. In July, two of Rep. Maloney's legislative proposals were included in the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs and Related Agencies Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2017 - ensuring disabled veterans receive specialized treatment and loan forgiveness. The Disabled Veterans Student Loan Protection Act works to ensure greater cooperation between the Department of Education, VA, and Department of Defense by establishing a system for transferring relevant information for veterans with 100-percent service-connected disabilities who have outstanding loans; the Appropriate Care for Disabled Veterans Act extended a mandate for the VA to report on its capacity for rehabilitating disabled veterans. In addition, Rep. Maloney's Air Traffic Controller Hiring Improvement Act was signed into law in 2016, which will improve the hiring and staffing of air traffic controllers and prioritize the hiring of veterans.

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