Denham Launches New Initiative, Seeks Feedback on Rebuilding the VA

Press Release

U.S. Representative Jeff Denham (R-Turlock) today launched a brand new initiative to solicit feedback from Central Valley constituents on how they would fix the VA.

"We'll be having a series of committee hearings in the coming months concerning the changes that must be made at the VA, and I want to hear directly from my constituents," said Rep. Denham. "As I have the opportunity to ask my questions of VA witnesses and hear testimony from those involved with the recent scheduling scandal, I want to ask them about the stories of the people I represent. I want to know what they've experienced and use their ideas as I work to get all of our veterans the care they deserve."

"We've known for a long time that there are systemic challenges with the way the VA delivers care," Rep. Denham continued. "In light of the latest incidents, we should focus our attention on reforming the VA so that veterans have access to the benefits they've earned. Trying to get better results out of an inherently flawed system is not enough, and I want to know what my constituents would do if they could build the system from the ground up."

As an Air Force veteran and the only Central Valley representative on the Veterans Affairs committee, Rep. Denham will be using the stories he receives and the feedback he hears to craft additional legislation, ask representatives of the VA the most relevant questions and share information with his colleagues as the committee works to address the gross mismanagement of the VA.

On May 30, 2014, Rep. Denham introduced the Veterans Need Timely Access to Care Act, H.R. 4779, which would increase and speed up healthcare access for veterans nationwide. He was an original co-sponsor of the Veterans Access to Care Act, H.R. 4810, which passed the House this week and would require VA to offer non-VA care at the department's expense to any enrolled veteran who cannot get an appointment within VA wait time goals or who lives more than 40 miles from a VA medical facility. In May of 2013, Rep. Denham introduced the Quicker Benefits Delivery Act, which would help reduce the VA backlog by allowing local doctors to conduct disability medical examinations for veterans.

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