Congress Debates 60-Measure Veterans Bill as 90% Back Care Outside VA
Updated
Updated · Fox News · Jun 25
Congress Debates 60-Measure Veterans Bill as 90% Back Care Outside VA
2 articles · Updated · Fox News · Jun 25
Summary
A congressional vote is expected in coming weeks on the Take Care of America’s Veterans Act, a package of roughly 60 measures built partly on the 2018 VA MISSION Act.
The push comes amid claims that VA career staff have slowed reforms and that Biden-era rollbacks narrowed community-care access, with longer waits tied to harm including a Fayetteville, Arkansas, cancer patient’s death.
Key provisions include the Veterans’ ACCESS Act, the Major Richard Star Act and pilot programs aimed at expanding healthcare choice, benefits and services beyond the VA system.
Polling cited by backers shows 90% of veterans support using providers outside the VA, 94% want a Veterans’ Bill of Rights, and 75% say they are likelier to back candidates who support the ACCESS Act.
The fight has political stakes ahead of November, with opponents including Sen. Richard Blumenthal, Rep. Mark Takano, unions and some veterans groups, while Republicans risk slippage among military voters if reforms stall.