Politics & Perspective
VA Update: Our Work for Veterans is Never Done by JERRY MORAN This Veterans Day as we honor, remember, and groundbreaking win for all veterans. I am committed pay respect to those who have served in our military, to ensuring the federal government puts veterans we should also reflect on what we have done and what first and prioritizes their decisions in health care more we can do to repay our American heroes for their instead of regressing to the days of long wait times service. Our country made a binding pact with our and burdensome commutes to distant VA facilities. servicemembers and veterans to ensure they receive Veterans deserve a system that provides them the care the care, support, and recognition earned through their and benefits they need where they are located. service. Upholding our end of the bargain is not only a In addition to the MISSION Act expanding health moral obligation, it also strengthens the faith our next care choice for veterans, the Asset and Infrastructure generation of heroes Review Commission was have in our country. established calling for an During the Trump independent review of Administration, I’m the VA’s infrastructure proud that Congress and and recommendations the White House were for how the VA can able to take substantial modernize to reflect steps forward to fulfill demographic changes in our obligations and the veteran population make certain veterans and update aging received the care they infrastructure ill-suited have earned. for modern medicine. We opened the The commission will doors to community care assess the more than through the MISSION 7,500 buildings the Act; we expanded VA owns, leases and and improved veteran operates. This will help education benefits with determine where future Veterans deserve a system the Forever GI Bill; we funds should be focused that provides them the care and overhauled the aging to update aging facilities benefits they need where they appeals process to and make renovations empower veterans with based on needs of the are located. options on how their local veteran population appeal was reviewed; and newly available and we granted the medical technology. VA greater authorities to discipline and dismiss bad As we work to continue improving the VA, it actors within the agency whenever they did not put the is important to address disparities in access and best interests of our veterans first. These wins were levels of care available to our veterans. Particularly significant, but the real test is ensuring the current in rural and underserved areas, veterans can easily administration effectively executes these laws. fall through the cracks due to unequal access or Since the MISSION Act was signed into law, varying quality of care. That is why I introduced the veterans’ perceptions of the VA have improved as Guaranteeing Healthcare Access to Personnel who more choose to utilize care through community Served Act, or “GHAPS Act.” The Senate Veterans’ providers in the towns and cities where they live and Affairs Committee has already taken the first step to work. This evolution of how the VA provides care is a pass this legislation out of committee. I look forward 4
RIPON FORUM Veterans Day 2021
