Political Quotes

“Today, H.R. 3236 will come to the floor of the House with a critical 3 month extension to the Highway Trust fund as well as changes to Department of Veterans Affairs' spending authorities. In particular, it contains changes to the Veterans Affairs' Choice Program that I believe are very important for Guam. It expands eligibility for the program and codifies some of the changes that the VA has made since the inception of the program to make it more accessible to veterans in rural or isolated communities and reduces some barriers to timely care. Though this bill is a good step towards better care for our veterans, there are many more improvements that I will continue to work for with my colleagues and the VA. There is still a need for greater flexibility in the reimbursement rate to health care providers which could be an issue on Guam in the near future. Further, there is a need to improve the methods in which our veterans and their records can move back and forth between VA and non-VA providers. Additionally, though I would have preferred to see additional appropriations to cover the shortfall in the other programs that are covering non-VA provided care for our veterans, I have been assured that the movement of funds within the VA accounts will not negatively affect the care our veterans are receiving through the Choice Program and that the transfer is temporary.…”