Press release
U.S. Senator Rob Portman of Ohio voted in favor of the Veterans’ Access to Care through Choice, Accountability, and Transparency Act of 2014.
This bipartisan legislation will authorize a “choice card” for veterans so they can access health services outside the Veterans Affairs (VA) system if they cannot get an appointment in that system within the department’s wait-time goals, and provides that option to veterans residing more than 40 miles from a VA facility.
It also authorizes the VA secretary to hold accountable members of the Senior Executive Service if the secretary determines the performance of the individual warrants it.
“Our veterans should be the first in line for the best care, and this bill will help to ensure that veterans can access available care in their communities if not available at the VA,” Portman stated. “Additionally, this bill reforms dysfunctional VA information technology systems and brings accountability to VA management. Having met with dozens of veterans from across Ohio over the past few weeks to get their input, I believe these reforms are part of what is needed to fix the VA waiting lists and other problems. I am concerned about the cost of this bill and I believe there are ways, working with the House of Representatives, to reduce the cost to taxpayers while putting in place the needed reforms.
“By acting today, we were able to move the bill forward to conference committee, where I am hopeful it can be strengthened by ensuring the cost does not significantly burden taxpayers.”