Congressman Joe Garcia Issues Statement on Passing of The Veteran Access To Care Act

Statement

Today, Congress voted in favor of H.R. 4810, the Veteran Access to Care Act. The bill allows veterans to seek care in a non-VA facility over the next two years if they live more than 40 miles from a VA medical facility, have waited longer than the wait-time goals for a medical appointment, or have been notified that an appointment is not available within the wait-time goals. Congressman Garcia issued the following statement in response --

"It just doesn't make sense to require someone who is ill and in need of medical treatment to wait months to simply be seen or spend seven hours in a car to get to the Miami VA and back," said Congressman Garcia. "Our veterans deserve the highest quality medical care, and if they are unable to get it from the VA, they should be given the option to get it elsewhere, Garcia continued.

"This is particularly important for people in my district who live in the Keys and may have to drive 4 hours to receive the critical services provided by the VA Hospital in Miami," said Congressman Garcia. "As more information comes to light, it is clear the VA has failed our nation's veterans. This bill is not the end-all solution to the problems facing the VA, but it is a temporary stop-gap measure to ensure Veterans are able to quickly get the care they need while we work to fully address the VA's challenges"

Congressman Garcia voted in favor of the Veteran Access to Care Act that passed the House of Representatives by a unanimous vote.

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