Political Quotes

“I want to thank Senator Moran and members of the Veterans' Affairs Committee for all their good work, Senator McCain for his good work, and Chairman John Isakson for his good work on this bill. This Veterans Choice Program Improvement Act is an important piece of legislation that is going to really ensure that veterans can access care in their communities. It is a critically important piece of legislation that we should get done and get done now. I think this body could learn from the work that was done on the Veterans' Affairs Committee under the leadership of Chairman Isakson for the veterans of this country. I don't think my home State of Montana is any exception. Veterans have been waiting far too long for an appointment at the VA and oftentimes had to drive 100 miles for an appointment. That is why we set up the Choice Program. It was supposed to allow these veterans to get their healthcare closer to home. Unfortunately, it did not work the way it should have. And we were inundated with redtape and a government contractor that struggled to schedule appointments with providers on time. This Veterans Choice Program Improvement Act is not the end all. It is not what is going to fix the Choice Program in its entirety, but it certainly is a step in the right direction, a step that needed to be taken, and I commend the body for allowing this step to be taken. I yield the floor. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Kansas.”