On the recordDecember 7, 2016
I thank Chairman-elect Roe for yielding and for his work on the committee. I have no doubt that he will perform admirably in his new role, and I want to extend my appreciation to him and to Chairman Miller for their leadership in getting this bill to the floor for consideration. This bill is simple, so I will keep it short. All the bill does is authorize the Department of Veterans Affairs to contract with appropriate civilian healthcare accrediting or evaluating groups to investigate the VA medical centers. Our veterans deserve care equal to the finest civilian hospitals, so let's allow the VA to invite the people who evaluate and accredit those private hospitals to take a look at our VA medical centers when they have problems. This is a commonsense bill that will help improve the care of our veterans who need us the most. I urge passage of this bill.
