U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran (R-KS) on May 3 lauded introduction of a bill in the U.S. House of Representatives that would significantly reform federal legislation authorizing services for America’s military veterans.
The Department of Veterans Affairs Maintaining Internal Systems and Strengthening Integrated Outside Networks (MISSION) Act, H.R. 5674, introduced on May 3 by U.S. Rep. Phil Roe (R-TN), would establish a permanent community care program for veterans, as well as a commission to make recommendations on modernization or realignment of facilities of the Veterans Health Administration, according to the congressional record.
Additionally, H.R. 5674 would seek to improve construction of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), and to make certain improvements in the laws relating to the VA’s home loan program, among other purposes, according to the summary.
“This bill includes provisions Sen. McCain and I have long advocated for to increase oversight of the VA’s implementation of the new, consolidated community care program and to make changes to the VA system so it delivers the best possible care for our nation’s heroes,” said Sen. Moran. “I look forward to the House quickly moving this legislation and sending it to the Senate for consideration and swift passage.”
Broadly, H.R. 5674 includes language from the U.S. Senate on community care and caregivers and language from the House on asset review, according to a summary provided by Rep. Roe’s office.
H.R. 5674 also would provide $5.2 billion to address the current funding shortfall in the Choice Program, which would receive appropriations until a new program is implemented next year. In April, Acting VA Secretary Robert Wilkie told Congress that the current VA account would run out of funds in June, ending the Choice Program and potentially creating an access-to-care crisis, according to Rep. Roe’s office.
Sen. Moran said he was specifically encouraged that H.R. 5674 would retain the Choice Program to ensure the VA “ceases to ration care to veterans who want, need and deserve access to care through the program.”
“I have long been a vocal advocate for giving veterans greater choice and flexibility in their healthcare,” said Sen. Moran, a member of the U.S. Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee. “After months of extensive debate and negotiations, I am pleased Rep. Phil Roe introduced legislation to reform VA healthcare and fund the Choice Program until the new program created by this bill is up and running.”
Rep. Roe, a medical doctor who serves as chairman of the U.S. House Veterans’ Affairs Committee, said in a May 3 statement that the VA MISSION Act would “put the department back on track to fulfilling President Lincoln’s promise to care for the men and women who have borne the battle.”
Rep. Roe introduced H.R. 5674 based on a bicameral, bipartisan agreement he proposed including last month’s omnibus spending package, according to his office, and the bill contains previous legislation that has been considered by either the House or Senate VA committees.
For instance, his staff noted that H.R. 5674 contains provisions to bolster the VA’s internal capacity to provide timely care to veteran patients at VA medical facilities via improved and expanded training, recruitment and retention of quality VA providers.
H.R. 5674 also would streamline the VA’s community care programs into one cohesive program and would create a non-partisan process for reviewing the department’s assets to ensure veterans have healthcare access and to expand the VA’s Post-9/11 Caregiver Program.
“This legislation must be passed, and if Congress fails to act veterans will pay for that failure,” Rep. Roe said. “I look forward to working with my colleagues in the House and Senate to move this important package through the legislative process and to the president’s desk.” Rep. Roe also offered thanks to Sens. Johnny Isakson (R-GA) and Jon Tester (D-MT), chairman and ranking member of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee, for their work on the package of bills.
H.R. 5674 has been referred to the U.S. House Veterans’ Affairs Committee, which Roe’s staff said is expected to consider the bill on May 8 during a markup. The bill also is under consideration by the U.S. House Rules Committee.