Fixing our Broken VA

I’ve shared your anger and frustration with the Department of Veterans Affairs’ neglect of our veterans. This kind of treatment for anyone, and especially those who have sacrificed so much for our nation, is unconscionable. I’ve been keeping you up to date on our work in Congress to hold the VA accountable and to restore timely and effective health care for our nation’s veterans. And now I’m pleased to announce that with my support, Congress has passed a bill to fix the broken VA system. The Veterans Access, Choice and Accountability Act of 2014 establishes a “Veterans Choice Card” which will allow veterans to seek VA-funded care from private facilities if they’ve waited longer than 30 days or live more than 40 miles away from the nearest VA clinic.

It authorizes the VA to fire senior executives if they’re not meeting performance standards, and it limits VA bonuses. And I’m pleased to announce this bill authorizes a new VA health clinic in Lubbock to serve our veterans here in West Texas. This has been one of my top priorities in Congress, and I hope the President will sign the bill into law soon so we can get started on these much-needed reforms for our nation’s veterans.