Husted joins bill to improve access to care for veterans

“Our veterans have sacrificed for our country and deserve access to quality and timely health care.” WASHINGTON – Sen. Jon Husted (R-Ohio) joined Chairman of the Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Jerry Moran’s (R-Kan.) Veterans’ Assuring Critical Care Expansions to Support Servicemembers (ACCESS) Act. This bill would ensure the consistent implementation of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Community Care Program and streamline veteran access to mental health and addiction treatment. House of Representatives Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Chairman Mike Bost (R-Ill.) is leading the companion bill to the ACCESS Act in the House. “Our veterans have sacrificed for our country and deserve access to quality and timely health care. Too often, long wait times or limited availability can stand in the way of getting the care they need. The ACCESS Act would ensure that veterans can reliably use the VA Community Care Program when Veterans Health Administration services are not readily available ,” said Husted. “No veteran – especially one facing cancer, addiction, chronic pain or a mental health condition – should have to wait weeks or months for the care they need or have to fight to receive the community care referrals they are entitled to by law. Yet, that is the reality for far too many veterans in the VA health care system today. Veterans deserve prompt, high-quality care and greater flexibility in choosing when, where, and how to use the health care benefits they have earned through their service. This legislation will help make certain that VA delivers on those promises,” said Moran. The ACCESS Act would establish existing community care access standards as the baseline standard of care for veterans seeking care in the community, increase access to life-saving treatment programs for veterans with mental health conditions or addiction and expand the list of criteria VA is required to take into account when determining whether it is in a veteran’s best medical interest to refer a veteran to the community to include veteran preference and continuity of care. The Wounded Warrior Project, Disabled American Veterans, American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States, Paralyzed Veterans of America, Military Officers Association of America, America’s Warrior Partnership, Vietnam Veterans of America, Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors, Elizabeth Dole Foundation, Military Order of the Purple Heart, Hunter Seven Foundation, Concerned Veterans for America, Americans for Prosperity and National Defense Committee all endorse the ACCESS Act. This bill builds on Husted’s support to ensure veterans are receiving the medical care they deserve. Husted is leading the Rural Veterans’ Improved Access to Benefits Act . This bill would ensure veterans living in rural communities have permanent, cross-state access to certified health care providers for their required disability claim exams. The full text of the bill is available here .