WASHINGTON, DC - Today, Congressman Warren Davidson (OH-08) called on Congress to do more to improve veterans’ health care following passage of the VA MISSION Act in the House.

 

While Davidson called the VA MISSION Act a step in the right direction, he said that Congress should go even further by allowing veterans to receive care from a doctor or provider of their choice outside of Veterans Affairs (VA). He said previous increases to funding levels and the creation of new programs meant to correct quality of care all signal progress, but that more work still needs done in putting choice in the hands of veterans.

 

To stress urgency of the issue and to stand in solidarity with veterans, Davidson pushed his colleagues in the House to include an amendment to the VA Mission Act which would make members of Congress receive health care only from the Department of Veterans Affairs. Davidson said the amendment would help spur members of Congress to take action and make fixing veterans’ health care a priority.

 

“While there is more work to do, I am pleased to support the VA MISSION Act as it will put the department back on track to fulfilling President Lincoln’s promise to care for the men and women who have borne the battle,” said Davidson. “This legislation streamlines many of the VA’s duplicative community care programs into one cohesive program and it will ensure veterans have timely access to the care they have earned. The VA MISSION Act also includes funding for the Choice Program, which is expected to run out of funds as early as May 31, 2018.”

 

While the VA MISSION Act passed the House today without Davidson’s amendment, Davidson said he would continue to fight to fix the VA and pledged to introduce a new version of the Lead by Example Act soon.

 

You can read more about the MISSION Act, and Davidson's Lead by Example Amendment here.

 

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