Johnny Isakson: “I thank the distinguished Senator from Oklahoma. I will tell him that the story of his veteran from Muskogee led us to…”

“I thank the distinguished Senator from Oklahoma. I will tell him that the story of his veteran from Muskogee led us to the way we wrote a lot of the provisions in section 101. Comfort, ease, and accessibility for the veteran are equally important to every other consideration that will go in. The veteran who was sent to Seattle before would now be able to get treatment in Oklahoma City or in Muskogee or wherever else closer to home that is more convenient as long as it is in the best interest of that patient. Specifically, it says that a veteran and the veteran's referring clinician agree that the care or services in the community would be in the best medical interest of the veteran after considering criteria, including--and then all those criteria. So every personal criterion, as well as medical criterion, is considered. So that should never happen again because of the VA MISSION Act. I appreciate the Senator bringing it to our attention, and I hope it never happens again in Oklahoma or anywhere in the United States.”