Ranking Member Tim Walz Examines VA Choice Program, Future Of Community Care For Vets
WASHINGTON, D.C. --- Today, Ranking Member Tim Walz (MN-1) and the House Committee on Veterans Affairs examined the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (VA) Choice Program and the future of community based care for veterans. In doing so, the Committee explored the program’s history, strengths and weaknesses, and discussed what effective VA community care programs should look like going forward.
The Committee received testimony from VA Secretary Dr. David Shulkin, who has made innovating community care for veterans a top priority, and Chair of the Senate Armed Services Committee Senator John McCain, who recently introduced legislation to fix some parts of the Choice program, as well as a number of other experts from the VA, Office of the Inspector General (IG), and Government Accountability Office (GAO).
“Every single veteran, by virtue of their having served and sacrificed for our nation, has the fundamental right to quality and timely healthcare; as such, a veteran’s vicinity to a VA facility or capacity to schedule an appointment should never interfere with his or her ability to receive the healthcare they have earned,” Rep. Walz said.
“Our focus should always be on improving the veterans’ experience, especially when it comes to their healthcare. That is why developing a veteran-centered health care system that preserves VA’s core mission while utilizing the private sector where it makes common sense is an absolute must.”
“While the VA must have the capacity to invest every dollar Congress has appropriated for the purpose of providing quality care to veterans, we simply cannot continue to invest billions of taxpayer dollars in a system that has clear and systemic flaws. The clinical decision of when and where to receive care should always be based on a conversation the veteran has with his or her doctor, and should never be bound by arbitrary rules. That is why it is imperative that any continuation of the Choice Program be coupled with permanent solutions that empower veterans and improve their access to quality and timely healthcare.”
“I am grateful for Secretary Shulkin and Senator McCain’s for having contributed their valuable perspectives and I thank them for their proven commitment to addressing these important issues. I look forward to working with them closely as we seek to improve the healthcare for veterans in communities across the country.”
WITNESS LIST
The Honorable John McCain
U.S. Senate
Arizona
The Honorable David J. Shulkin M.D.
Secretary
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Accompanied by:
Baligh Yehia M.D.
Deputy Under Secretary for Health for Community Care
Veterans Health Administration
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
The Honorable Michael J. Missal
Inspector General
Office of the Inspector General
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Randy Williamson
Director, Health Care
Government Accountability Office
Statements for the Record
The American Legion
Disabled American Veterans
Paralyzed Veterans of America
TriWest Healthcare Alliance
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