Press Releases

(Washington, D.C.) – Congressman Larry Bucshon, M.D. (IN-08) released the following statement after voting in support of the VA Mission Act (S. 2372):

“As a former Navy reservist and physician who completed a portion of my training at a VA hospital, I understand the importance of providing the best care to our veterans. The VA MISSION Act will help build a stronger VA to ensure that our veterans are receiving the care and benefits they have earned by streamlining the VA’s community care programs into one cohesive program, investing in the long-term strength and success of the program, and by allowing for greater choice to ensure veterans have timely access to the care they have earned. Our veterans should be able to count on receiving high-quality health care when they visit the VA because they have earned it through their service to our nation.”

Background

• Establishes the Veterans Community Care Program, consolidating duplicate programs into one cohesive program.
• Provides funding to the Choice Program, which, without this Congressional action, would have run out of funding by May 31, 2018.
• Establishes the VA Asset and Infrastructure Review Commission to creates a fair and transparent process for comprehensive audit of the VA’s assets.
• Transforms the VA from its reliance on outdated and inefficient facilities to a more modern infrastructure based on current and future models.
• Improves VA recruitment methods to ensure the VA secures high quality health care professionals for our veterans.

More than three dozen Veterans Service Organizations support the VA MISSION Act, including:

Air Force Association (AFA)

America's Warrior Partnership

AMVETS (American Veterans)

Association of the US Navy (AUSN)

Concerned Veterans for America

DAV (Disabled American Veterans)

Fleet Reserve Association (FRA)

Gold Star Wives of America (GSW)

Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA)

Jewish War Veterans (JWV)

Marine Corps League (MCL)

Military Order of the Purple Heart (MOPH)

National Association of Community Health Centers (NACHC)

Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA)

Reserve Officers Association (ROA)

The American Legion 

US Army Warrant Officers Association (USAWOA)

Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW)

Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA)

Wounded Warrior Project (WWP)