Kaine Statement On Compromise Deal To Address VA Scheduling Backlog, Wait Times

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tim Kaine released the following statement on the deal announced by House and Senate negotiators today to improve veterans’ access to health care and address serious problems facing the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA):

“I’m heartened that bipartisan negotiators were able to reach a deal that will help ensure veterans receive the timely, high-quality care they deserve from the VA,” said Kaine, who was an original co-sponsor of the Senate version of the bill. “We are still waiting for final details of the compromise, but I am encouraged to hear this legislation will allow the VA to hire more providers and gives certain veterans who live far from a VA facility more options for care.”

In June, Kaine joined U.S. Senators Bernie Sanders, John McCain, Jeff Merkley, and Richard Burr to introduce  The Veterans’ Access to Care through Choice, Accountability and Transparency Act of 2014, the Senate bill that was a basis for the compromise deal reached today.

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