Political Quotes

“Mr. Speaker, I thank Mr. Takano for yielding and for his leadership, along with Chairman Bost, in getting this legislation to floor. I thank Representatives McMorris Rodgers and Bergman for cosponsoring this bill, which covers an important issue, emergency care coverage for veterans under the Community Care program. This would close a glaring gap in emergency care for veterans who are transitioning from DOD to VA care. Right now, VA's failure to cover emergency care during this transitional period can result in a crippling amount of debt for veterans who need this kind of care. These coverage gaps are all too common for our veterans. I have heard about it from my own constituents. In my first month in office, I was contacted by a veteran in Danville, New Hampshire, who put off seeking care for a medical emergency because he was unsure that VA would cover this care. No veteran should ever think twice about seeking care during a medical emergency or be faced with exorbitant medical bills as a result of this care, so let's eliminate this gap for veterans who are recently enrolled in VA care. This is an important step forward represented by this legislation. There is certainly more work to do, but I urge my colleagues to support this bipartisan legislation today.”