Political Quotes

“Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I, too, rise in strong support of S. 544 to eliminate the sunset on the Veterans Choice Program. This bill will basically allow the Department of Veterans Affairs to continue spending previously appropriated resources in the Veterans Choice Program to provide direct and timely patient care to veterans. It allows the VA to charge a veteran's healthcare insurer for nonservice-connected care so that veterans aren't sent expensive medical bills, wasting time trying to figure out how to get them paid. Finally, it allows the VA to share medical information with community care providers so patient care is better coordinated. This legislation is identical to H.R. 369, which passed unanimously in our Committee on Veterans' Affairs. It includes amendments offered by members of that committee. I would like to take a moment, Mr. Speaker, to congratulate and thank the chairman of the committee for the bipartisan way that he approached this. The issue of veterans care is a passionate issue for all of us. The issue of the Choice Program arose out of the crisis in Phoenix and other places in 2014, and a sunset that needed to be addressed was handled in a professional manner. It brought all parties together. I think the chairman is going to get a unanimous vote. They have got one in the Senate.…”