John McCain demands accounting from VA on money for private care
Sen. John McCain is demanding a full accounting from the Department of Veterans Affairs on the financial status of its private-sector health care program after the agency said it could face another budget shortfall as soon as December. The Associated Press reported this week that the VA had acknowledged its Veterans Choice program could run out of money by year’s end despite receiving $2.1 billion in emergency funding just last month. Another shortfall could force the VA to limit referrals to outside doctors, causing delays in medical care for hundreds of thousands of veterans. In a letter to VA Secretary David Shulkin, McCain, who chairs the Senate Armed Services Committee, said he wants to know specifically when the VA expects Choice to run out of money. McCain cites AP’s report, which included a statement from VA that Choice funds could be depleted as early as December or as late as March. The letter, sent late Wednesday, calls for a VA response by the end of the week. The Arizona Republican noted that Congress was led astray earlier this year after VA provided false assurances that Choice funds would last until early 2018. After Shulkin admitted to a budget shortfall in June, McCain joined other senators to express concern to VA about possible financial mismanagement. Congress ultimately approved $2.1 billion in emergency spending for Choice that was intended to last until February. “We said at the time that it was essential, given the growing demand for care under the Choice program, that the VA immediately correct the failures that created such a serious shortfall,” McCain wrote. “It appears as if you have not done so.” In its statement earlier this week to AP, the VA said it hoped to move quickly on a proposed long-term legislative fix that would give veterans even wider access to private doctors. The proposal, under review by the White House budget office, would seek money to keep Choice running for much of next year as VA implements wider changes. Earlier this year, the VA began limiting referrals to outside doctors as money started running low. The Choice program was passed by Congress in 2014 in response to a wait-time scandal at the Phoenix VA medical center that spread nationwide. Some veterans died while waiting months for appointments as VA employees manipulated records to hide delays. The controversy spurred Congress to establish Choice as a pilot program to relieve pressure at VA hospitals. Republished with permission from the Associated Press.
Donald Trump extends private-sector health care program for vets
President Donald Trump has signed a bill extending a program that lets some veterans seek medical care in the private sector. The extension will give Veterans Affairs Secretary David Shulkin time to develop a more comprehensive plan to allow veterans to more easily go outside the VA health system for care. The new law allows the VA to operate its Choice program until its funding runs out, expected early next year. Trump says veterans have “not been taken care of properly” and the bill will extend and improve the program so they can see any doctor they choose. The Choice program was put in place after a 2014 scandal over long wait times for vets at the VA medical center in Phoenix. The program was to have expired in August. Republished with permission of The Associated Press.
Bradley Byrne introduces bill to give veterans full access to local care
Alabama 1st District U.S. Rep. Bradley Byrne on Tuesday introduced legislation to give veterans full access to private, local medical care. Byrne’s bill, the Full Choice for Veterans Act, expands eligibility of the Veterans Choice Program to any veteran. Under the Veterans Choice Program, veterans receive a card to get care from private doctors or hospitals. Currently, access to the VA Choice Program is limited to those who have waited longer than 30 days for VA care or those who live more than 40 miles from a VA facility. Congressman Byrne’s bill changes that and give every veteran access to health care providers in their community, regardless of a veteran’s situation. “Veterans should not be forced to remain in a VA system that is dysfunctional and broken,” said Bryne. “This is why Congress created the Choice Card program a few years ago to give veterans greater access to private medical care in their local community. Sadly, the VA created roadblocks to limit veteran access to the Choice Card program. Our veterans deserve better. “Under the Full Choice for Veterans Act, we will give veterans the choices they need and access to timely medical care. Even more, I think we can actually save taxpayer money by cutting down on the bloated VA bureaucracy. This is a win-win situation, and I look forward to working with my colleagues to advance this legislation.” Byrne introduced similar legislation to expand veteran access to private care in 2015 in the previous Congress. Watch Byrne discuss his new bill below:
Mike Rogers: Honoring America’s veterans
Each year on Nov. 11, we honor those brave men and women who have served our country in uniform and those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice for the freedoms we enjoy today. As many of you across East Alabama may know, I have a Veterans Advisory Council that includes veterans from each of the 13 counties that make up the 3rd District. These council meetings allow me the opportunity to hear directly what is on the minds of our veterans and take their concerns back to Washington. This year our meeting is scheduled during the week of Veterans Day and will include a very special guest, Mr. Bennie Adkins of Opelika. Mr. Adkins was awarded the Medal of Honor in September 2014 for his acts of bravery on the battlefield in Vietnam. Mr. Adkins, like all of our veterans, is a true American hero and we look forward to having him at our meeting. During the past couple of years, scandals have occurred within our VA healthcare system, including the Central Alabama Veterans Healthcare System (CAVHS) in Montgomery. I think we all can agree our Veterans deserve the best care we can offer them. It is the least we can do to thank them for their selfless service. One of the changes implemented was the Veterans Choice Program that allows veterans to get health care from non-VA doctors. Unfortunately some of our veterans still haven’t been able to get the help they need. That is why I’ve joined U.S. Rep. Byrne in cosponsoring H.R. 1096, which would make the choice program work better by changing the criteria to closest medical service instead of medical facility. While this is just one fix to one issue it is an example of what we as a Congress have to continue to do to make sure we keep the the Department of Veterans Affairs accountable and responsive to the needs of our veterans. In addition, my office always stands ready to assist any veteran from the 3rd District when it comes to dealing with the VA. Not just on Veterans Day, but every day, I encourage all of us across East Alabama to remember the men and women in uniform that have lost their lives and to keep those still serving and their families in our thoughts and prayers. God Bless America. Mike Rogers represents Alabama’s 3rd Congressional District. He is in his third term.
