Van Hollen, Cardin Support Improvements to Veterans’ Health Care
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin (both
D-Md.) released the following statement regarding their support for the
bipartisan VA Maintaining Systems and
Strengthening Integrated Outside Networks (MISSION) Act today:
“There are over 9 million
veterans enrolled in the VA health care system who deserve access to
world-class medical care. We need to keep our promises to these veterans and
their families, which is why we supported the VA MISSION Act today. Like
most major pieces of legislation, it still contains some challenges, but the VA
MISSION Act makes some significant improvements. It provides key support to the
caregivers of veterans who were not covered previously. It also extends
the VA Choice Act, which will continue to allow veterans in underserved
locations to have better access to basic medical care. While we have some
concerns with the inclusion of the VA Asset and Infrastructure Review Act
provisions, we are confident that with rigorous oversight by Congress, this
measure will ensure that the VA Facilities and the people who work tirelessly
to support our veterans at the VA will be protected.”
The VA MISSION Act would
provide funding to the Veterans Choice program and would make significant
improvements to simplify and streamline the current program. Additionally, this
legislation will expand coverage to veterans’ caregivers, to include WW II,
Korea, and Vietnam era veterans. The VA MISSION Act will help ensure that all
veterans have access to care and that VA has the staff and resources it needs
to provide them with this care.
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